COLOMBO : The Supreme Court has determined that the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution does not require a referendum and can be passed with a special majority in Parliament, the Speaker announced while informing the House of the court’s determination.
Accordingly, the Speaker announced that the Supreme Court also determined that provisions of the Judicature (Amendment) Bill are not inconsistent with the Constitution and can be passed with a simple majority in Parliament.
He further added that several clauses in the 22nd Amendment may be passed with a simple majority in Parliament.
The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution Bill, which seeks to extend the retirement age of judges, was presented to Parliament on August 18 by Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara.
Following its presentation, several parties challenged the constitutionality of the Bill before the Supreme Court, with a total of 67 petitions filed in this regard.
The petitions were heard before a five-member Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justices Achala Wengappuli, Arjuna Obeyesekere, Sampath Abeykoon and Gihan Kulatunga.
The hearing of the petitions concluded on September 2, after which the Supreme Court bench announced that its determination on the constitutionality of the Bill would be referred to the Speaker.
Meanwhile, the Committee on Parliamentary Business has decided that the parliamentary debate on the 22nd Amendment Bill will be held on September 24 and 25, 2026.
