Posted by Onlanka Information on September 2, 2026 – 6:40 pm
The Supreme Courtroom in the present day (September 2) concluded the listening to of 67 petitions filed each difficult and supporting the proposed twenty second Modification to the Structure and mentioned its confidential dedication can be despatched to the Speaker of Parliament.
The listening to was performed earlier than a five-member Supreme Courtroom bench headed by Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena.
The opposite members of the bench had been Justices Achala Wengappuli, Arjuna Obeyesekere, Sampath Abeykoon and Gihan Kulatunga.
In the course of the listening to, the court docket thought-about submissions made by attorneys representing events opposing and supporting the proposed modification, in addition to submissions made on behalf of the Legal professional Normal.
Following the conclusion of the listening to, the Supreme Courtroom acknowledged that its confidential dedication on the constitutionality of the Invoice can be conveyed to the Speaker of Parliament.
The events had been additionally directed to file their written submissions by 3:00 PM tomorrow (September 3).
The Supreme Courtroom started contemplating the petitions yesterday (September 1), with proceedings persevering with in the present day earlier than the identical five-member bench.
Throughout yesterday’s listening to, President’s Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran, showing for one of many petitioners, requested that the petitions be thought-about by a full bench comprising all sitting Supreme Courtroom judges. A number of different attorneys showing for petitioners supported the request.
Solicitor Normal Viraj Dayaratne, showing for the Legal professional Normal, submitted that beneath Article 132(3) of the Structure, the authority to determine the composition and variety of judges on a bench rests with the Chief Justice. Counsel showing for an intervening petitioner additionally supported that place.
After contemplating the submissions, the Supreme Courtroom rejected the request and determined that the petitions would proceed to be thought-about earlier than the prevailing five-member bench.
The Authorities introduced the proposed twenty second Modification Invoice to Parliament on August 18, 2026, after it was printed within the Gazette on August 7.
Following its presentation to Parliament, the general public was given a possibility to file petitions earlier than the Supreme Courtroom difficult or supporting the proposed modification.
A complete of 67 Particular Willpower petitions had been filed in reference to the Invoice, which is reported to be the best variety of petitions ever filed over a constitutional modification in Sri Lanka.
In the meantime, 5 separate petitions have additionally been filed difficult the Judicature (Modification) Invoice.
