Sri Lanka's 22nd Amendment faces opposition and judicial concerns

The Sri Lankan government's push to pass the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution is facing significant opposition. The ruling National People's Power (NPP) alliance has struggled to secure support from other political parties or the broader public, leading to concerns regarding the amendment's legitimacy and its impact on national sovereignty.

The Illankai Thamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK), a major Tamil political party, has formally expressed concern that the proposed changes affect the core of national sovereignty and require a much wider consensus than currently exists. Analysts suggest that proceeding without cross-party agreement could lead to legal challenges and deepen political divisions.

Legal experts have also raised questions regarding the amendment's impact on judicial independence. During a public discussion in Colombo, legal professionals debated whether the government's proposal—which includes extending the retirement age of judges—is an effective solution to the country's judicial backlog. Critics argued that such a move might avoid addressing the structural issues causing delays, which are most concentrated in Magistrates’ and District Courts rather than higher courts.