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Sri Lanka Supreme Court clears 22nd Amendment without referendum
The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has ruled that the proposed 22nd Constitutional Amendment Bill does not require a public referendum to pass. Instead, the amendment can be enacted by Parliament through a special two-thirds majority vote.
The amendment includes provisions to extend the retirement age of Supreme Court judges from 65 to 67 years and Court of Appeal judges from 63 to 65 years. The Court also directed that a proviso be added to ensure the newly proposed six-year term limit for the Chief Justice does not apply to the current incumbent, Preethi Padman Surasena.
Additionally, the Court determined that the Judicature (Amendment) Bill is constitutionally valid and may be passed by a simple majority in Parliament. While the legal path for the 22nd Amendment is now clear, opposition groups have signaled intentions to pursue public demonstrations in response to the ruling.
Entities
Harshana Nanayakkara · Jagath Wickramaratne · Parliament of Sri Lanka · Preethi Padman Surasena · Supreme Court of Sri Lanka
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 6 SOURCES] The 22nd Constitutional Amendment is consistent with the Constitution of Sri Lanka. english.gossiplankanews.com · www.lankabusinessonline.com · www.lankanewspapers.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The amendment proposes extending the retirement age of Court of Appeal judges from 63 to 65 years. english.gossiplankanews.com · www.lankabusinessonline.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The amendment proposes extending the retirement age of Supreme Court judges from 65 to 67 years. english.gossiplankanews.com · www.lankabusinessonline.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The 6-year term limit will not apply to any person holding the office of Chief Justice when the Act comes into operation. www.lankabusinessonline.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] The 22nd Constitutional Amendment Bill does not require a public referendum to pass. english.gossiplankanews.com · www.lankabusinessonline.com · www.lankanewspapers.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The Judicature Amendment Bill is constitutional and can be passed by a simple majority in Parliament. english.gossiplankanews.com · www.lankabusinessonline.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The 22nd Constitutional Amendment Bill requires a special two-thirds majority vote in Parliament to pass. english.gossiplankanews.com · www.lankanewspapers.com