Sri Lanka Parliament passes 22nd Constitutional Amendment

Sri Lanka's Parliament has passed the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, securing a two-thirds majority with 158 votes in favor and 63 against. The amendment, certified by Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, focuses on restructuring the judicial system by raising retirement ages for senior judges.

Under the new amendment, the retirement age for Supreme Court judges increases from 65 to 67, and for Court of Appeal judges from 63 to 65. Additionally, the number of Court of Appeal judges will rise from 19 to 24. The Judicature (Amendment) Act also extends the retirement age for High Court judges from 61 to 63, and for District Judges and Magistrates from 60 to 62. These changes aim to expedite case resolutions and facilitate the establishment of regional Courts of Appeal.

The legislation passed despite significant opposition from a coalition of parties, including the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC).