Archive · 23 Jul 2025
Sri Lanka's Supreme Court: 2022 Emergency Declaration Illegal
Imagine Sri Lanka had a big problem with money and people were very upset.
To stop the protests, the government declared an emergency, which meant they could make special rules.
Some people thought this was unfair and went to court.
The court agreed with them!
The court said the government's emergency rules weren't right because they went against people's basic rights.
The court ordered the government to pay for the legal costs.
Sri Lanka's Supreme Court ruled the July 2022 state of emergency violated fundamental rights.
The emergency declaration aimed to quell public protests amidst a severe economic crisis.
The protests occurred due to shortages of fuel and essential items.
The court ruled 2-1 in favor of the petitioners who claimed the declaration was unconstitutional.
The state was ordered to pay legal costs as a result of the ruling.
- Who
- The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka and civil society organizations.
- What
- The Supreme Court ruled that the state of emergency declared in July 2022 violated fundamental rights.
- When
- The ruling was made on Wednesday, July 23, 2022.
- Where
- Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Why
- The emergency declaration was aimed at quelling public protests.
Civil Society Organizations
Government
Legality of the Declaration
Civil Society Organizations
The declaration was unconstitutional and violated fundamental rights.
Government
The government declared a state of emergency to quell protests.
- Court Decision
- Ruled state of emergency violated fundamental rights
- Date of Ruling
- July 23, 2022
- Court Vote
- 2-1 in favor of petitioners
- Cause of Protests
- Shortages of fuel and essential items
- Emergency Declaration Date
- July 2022