21 Petitions Filed in Supreme Court Challenging Proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution

Twenty-one petitions have been filed before the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka challenging the government's proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, with petitioners raising serious concerns over its potential impact on public sovereignty and judicial independence.

Broad Legal Challenge Mounts Against Constitutional Reform

The flurry of petitions signals growing legal opposition to the proposed amendment, which the government has put forward as part of its broader constitutional reform agenda. Critics and legal experts among the petitioners contend that key provisions within the Bill could undermine the fundamental rights of citizens and erode the independence of the country's judiciary — two pillars considered central to Sri Lanka's democratic framework.

The petitioners argue that the proposed changes could shift the balance of power in ways that compromise the sovereignty vested in the people of Sri Lanka, raising constitutional red flags that they believe warrant urgent scrutiny by the apex court.

Supreme Court to Scrutinise Key Provisions

The Supreme Court is now expected to examine the petitions and determine whether the Bill, in its current form, is consistent with the Constitution. Under Sri Lankan law, the Supreme Court holds the authority to review proposed legislation before it is passed, giving the court a critical gatekeeping role in the amendment process.

Legal observers note that the volume of petitions filed — twenty-one in total, challenging a single piece of proposed legislation — reflects the depth of public and legal concern surrounding the 22nd Amendment.

What Is at Stake

• The independence of the judiciary from potential executive influence
• The protection of people's sovereignty as guaranteed under the existing Constitution
• The overall balance of power between the branches of government

As Sri Lanka continues to navigate a period of significant political and economic transition, constitutional amendments of this nature are being watched closely by civil society groups, opposition parties, and legal professionals alike. The outcome of the Supreme Court's review is expected to have far-reaching implications for the country's governance landscape.

The petitioners argue that the proposed 22nd Amendment, as currently drafted, poses a threat to the sovereignty of the people and the independent functioning of the judiciary — principles enshrined at the very heart of Sri Lanka's Constitution.

Further developments are expected as the Supreme Court takes up the petitions for consideration in the coming days.

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