September 21, Colombo (LNW): The Supreme Court’s confidential determination on the constitutionality of the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution has been formally handed over to the Speaker, according to the Speaker’s Office.
The determination, which sets out the Court’s decision on a series of petitions challenging the proposed constitutional changes, is expected to be presented to Parliament by the Speaker on September 22.
The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution Bill, together with the Judicial Amendment Bill, was introduced in Parliament on August 18 by Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara. The legislation subsequently faced more than 65 petitions questioning its constitutional validity.
A five-member Supreme Court bench led by the Chief Justice began hearing the petitions on September 01. Proceedings were completed the following day, with the bench indicating that its determination would be formally communicated to the Speaker.
The Court’s decision is expected to provide the basis for the next stage of parliamentary consideration of the proposed amendment, with attention now turning to how the determination will affect the scheduled legislative process.
The Committee on Parliamentary Business has already set aside September 24 and 25 for the parliamentary debate on the 22nd Amendment Bill.