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Sri Lanka 22nd Amendment faces parliamentary debate amid opposition protests
Sri Lanka’s proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution is set for a critical parliamentary debate on September 24 and 25. The legislation, which focuses on the judiciary, includes several significant changes: increasing the retirement age for Supreme Court judges from 65 to 67, raising the Court of Appeal retirement age from 63 to 65, and expanding the number of Court of Appeal judges from 19 to 24. Additionally, the amendment introduces a tenure provision for the Chief Justice, mandating retirement at age 67 or after six years in office, whichever occurs first.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) have strongly criticized the bill, arguing it threatens judicial independence, the rule of law, and the separation of powers. Premadasa has called for public mobilization to defeat the amendment, despite the government holding a 159-seat parliamentary majority. The SJB has scheduled a public protest in Colombo for September 24 to coincide with the parliamentary debate.
A five-judge Supreme Court bench, which concluded hearings on the bill's constitutionality on September 2, is expected to present its confidential determination to the Speaker on September 22.
Entities
Colombo · Parliament of Sri Lanka · Sajith Premadasa · Samagi Jana Balawegaya · Supreme Court of Sri Lanka
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Chief Justice would retire at age 67 or after six years in the position, whichever comes first.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The government has a two-thirds parliamentary majority of 159 seats. frontpage.lk · www.newswire.lk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The amendment proposes increasing the Court of Appeal retirement age from 63 to 65.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The 22nd Amendment is scheduled for parliamentary debate on September 24 and 25. frontpage.lk · www.newswire.lk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The amendment proposes increasing the Supreme Court retirement age from 65 to 67.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The amendment proposes increasing the number of Court of Appeal judges from 19 to 24.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has announced a public protest in Colombo for September 24. frontpage.lk · www.newswire.lk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A five-judge Supreme Court bench concluded hearings on the constitutionality of the amendment on September 2.