Three Sri Lankan judges have summoned the parliament speaker and 11 lawmakers to appear before an appeals court in response to a complaint by the country's chief justice that a parliamentary committee unfairly convicted her of misconduct.

The court on Friday also asked Parliament not to take a vote on the guilty verdict, a step that could result in her being removed from office, until it hears the case filed by Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake. The court said such a parliamentary vote could bring about chaos if the court decides to quash the verdict.

A committee of lawmakers earlier this month convicted Bandaranayake of having unexplained wealth and misuse of power. She has denied the charges and said she was not given a fair hearing.