Sri Lanka's largest branch of the Bar Association has filed a constitutional petition opposing the proposed 22nd Amendment Bill, citing concerns over judicial independence and the rule of law.
The Colombo Law Society, representing over 7,000 legal professionals, has initiated legal proceedings against the proposed 22nd Constitutional Amendment Bill by filing a petition with the Supreme Court. The amendment bill was presented to Parliament on August 18, and the challenge was filed under case number SC/SD/81/2026 by the society's President Sadun Nagahawatta and Secretary Lahiru Welgama.
The petition seeks a special determination from the Supreme Court regarding specific provisions of the proposed amendment. The law society argues that these provisions conflict with existing constitutional safeguards that protect the sovereign judicial power vested in the people. The organization contends that the bill raises significant questions about constitutional governance, judicial independence, and public confidence in the legal system.
The Colombo Law Society emphasized that this challenge aligns with its longstanding commitment to upholding the rule of law and constitutional principles. According to the organization, the decision to file the petition followed comprehensive discussions by its Executive Committee. Attorney-at-Law Nalin Samarakoon has been appointed to represent the petitioners in the Supreme Court proceedings.