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Sri Lanka constitutional amendment controversy

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2026-08-31 16:00 UTC → 2026-09-15 00:41 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The Sri Lankan government’s efforts to pass the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution have met with significant political and legal resistance. The ruling National People’s Power (NPP) alliance has faced difficulties in securing the necessary cross-party consensus, with the Illankai Thamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) expressing concerns that the changes could impact national sovereignty. Legal experts and critics have also questioned the amendment’s effect on judicial independence, specifically regarding proposals to extend the retirement age of judges. While the government suggests this may address judicial backlogs, critics argue it fails to address structural issues within the lower courts. Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has intensified these criticisms, accusing the administration of undermining democracy by disrupting the balance between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Premadasa further criticized the government’s economic policies, alleging a failure to protect farmers and a lack of commitment to a social market economy. In response to the ongoing controversy, Premadasa has called for a large-scale peaceful protest in Colombo on September 24. Speaking to United People's Power local government members, he accused the administration led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake of attempting to establish partisan rule and centralize power. Premadasa characterized the amendment as a move toward authoritarianism that would infringe upon the rights of citizens and undermine the rule of law.

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