Supreme Court concludes hearing of 67 petitions over 22nd Amendment

The Supreme Court today (September 2) concluded the hearing of 67 petitions filed both challenging and supporting the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution and said its confidential determination would be sent to the Speaker of Parliament.

The hearing was conducted before a five-member Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena.

The other members of the bench were Justices Achala Wengappuli, Arjuna Obeyesekere, Sampath Abeykoon and Gihan Kulatunga.

During the hearing, the court considered submissions made by lawyers representing parties opposing and supporting the proposed amendment, as well as submissions made on behalf of the Attorney General.

Following the conclusion of the hearing, the Supreme Court stated that its confidential determination on the constitutionality of the Bill would be conveyed to the Speaker of Parliament.

The parties were also directed to file their written submissions by 3:00 PM tomorrow (September 3).

The Supreme Court began considering the petitions yesterday (September 1), with proceedings continuing today before the same five-member bench.

During yesterday’s hearing, President’s Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran, appearing for one of the petitioners, requested that the petitions be considered by a full bench comprising all sitting Supreme Court judges. Several other lawyers appearing for petitioners supported the request.

Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne, appearing for the Attorney General, submitted that under Article 132(3) of the Constitution, the authority to decide the composition and number of judges on a bench rests with the Chief Justice. Counsel appearing for an intervening petitioner also supported that position.

After considering the submissions, the Supreme Court rejected the request and decided that the petitions would continue to be considered before the existing five-member bench.

The Government presented the proposed 22nd Amendment Bill to Parliament on August 18, 2026, after it was published in the Gazette on August 7.

Following its presentation to Parliament, the public was given an opportunity to file petitions before the Supreme Court challenging or supporting the proposed amendment.

A total of 67 Special Determination petitions were filed in connection with the Bill, which is reported to be the highest number of petitions ever filed over a constitutional amendment in Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, five separate petitions have also been filed challenging the Judicature (Amendment) Bill.