COLOMBO (Lakbima News): The deadline to file petitions challenging or supporting the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution expires today. The Supreme Court has received 30 petitions.
Three petitions support the amendment, while 27 oppose it, according to the Supreme Court registry.
The 22nd Amendment was published in the Government Gazette and presented to Parliament about two weeks ago, as shown in the Gazette notification.
After the filing period closed, the Chief Justice is expected to appoint a Supreme Court bench to examine whether the amendment was introduced in line with constitutional requirements and to rule on the procedure Parliament must follow.
Under the Constitution, when one or more petitions challenge a constitutional amendment, the Supreme Court has three weeks to hear and decide on the amendment’s validity.
The Court will hear the petitions filed for and against the amendment, determine whether any provisions conflict with the Constitution, and decide whether the amendment requires a special parliamentary majority or approval by referendum for enactment.
When the Supreme Court completes its review, it will send its written determination to the Speaker of Parliament.
