Sri Lanka’s 22nd Amendment Faces Key Test as Supreme Court Determination Goes to Parliament

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — September 20, 2026: Sri Lanka’s proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution is set for a crucial week, with the Supreme Court’s confidential determination on the Bill scheduled to be presented to Parliament on September 22, followed by a two-day parliamentary debate on September 24 and 25.

The development comes amid strong opposition from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), which has announced a public protest in Colombo on September 24 against the proposed amendment. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has said the SJB will mobilise supporters against the Bill, arguing that it could affect judicial independence and democratic institutions. These are the SJB’s stated objections to the legislation.

What is Sri Lanka’s 22nd Amendment?

The Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution Bill is a government-backed constitutional amendment primarily dealing with the judiciary and the tenure of senior judges.

Among its proposed changes are:

• Increasing the retirement age of Supreme Court judges from 65 to 67.
• Increasing the retirement age of Court of Appeal judges from 63 to 65.
• Increasing the number of Court of Appeal judges from 19 to 24.
• Introducing a provision concerning the tenure of the Chief Justice, under which retirement would occur either when the Chief Justice reaches 67 or completes six years in that position, whichever comes first.

The Government has argued that the proposed changes are intended to expand and streamline the judicial system. Petitioners challenging the Bill, however, have argued that some of its provisions could affect judicial independence and the sovereignty of the people.

Supreme Court determination to be presented on September 22

A five-judge Supreme Court bench concluded hearings on petitions challenging the constitutionality of the 22nd Amendment and the related Judicature (Amendment) Bill on September 2.

The determination was to be communicated confidentially to the Speaker. The five-member bench was headed by Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and included Justices Achala Wengappuli, Arjuna Obeyesekere, Sampath Abayakoon and Gihan Kulatunga.

The determination is significant because it will indicate whether the proposed legislation can proceed through Parliament under the applicable constitutional procedure or whether additional requirements, such as a referendum, arise from the Court’s findings.

Parliament to debate the Bills on September 24 and 25

Parliament has allocated September 24 and 25 for the Second Reading debate on both the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution Bill and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill.

The parliamentary schedule states that the debate is subject to the Speaker making an announcement following the delivery of the Supreme Court determination.

SJB plans protest on the same day

The SJB has announced a public protest in Colombo on September 24, coinciding with the first day of the parliamentary debate.

The party has criticised the proposed amendment, with its leadership arguing that the changes could undermine judicial independence and democratic institutions. The Government and its representatives have presented a different position, saying the legislation is aimed at strengthening and expanding the functioning of the judicial system. (Daily Mirror)

The coming week will therefore bring the Supreme Court’s constitutional determination, parliamentary debate and an opposition protest into focus as Sri Lanka considers the proposed 22nd Amendment.