The Frontline Socialist Party has alleged that the government's proposed 22nd Constitutional Amendment extends beyond judicial reform to facilitate privatization, labour law changes, and centralized executive power.
The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) has challenged the government's stated rationale for the 22nd Constitutional Amendment, arguing that judicial efficiency is merely a cover for sweeping economic and institutional reforms. FSP Education Secretary Pubudu Jayagoda made the allegations during a seminar held in Colombo on August 23, asserting that case backlogs do not necessitate changes to the Supreme Court retirement age.
Jayagoda contended that most outstanding legal cases are handled in lower courts, and that increasing judicial capacity through amendments to the Judicial Service Act would address delays without constitutional revision. According to the FSP, the amendment's true purpose is to grant the executive the broad powers needed to implement structural changes across multiple sectors.
The party claims the government is preparing legislation that would reshape labour protections, including a proposed Single Labour Law and amendments to the Employees' Provident Fund management to involve private sector participation. Additionally, Jayagoda alleged plans to privatise the Paddy Marketing Board, transfer agricultural lands to corporations, and consolidate fisheries rights through corporate leasing arrangements.
Other concerns raised include proposed school closures affecting thousands of institutions, privatization of hospital laboratory services, and new security legislation such as the Protection of the State from Terrorism Act. The FSP characterizes these initiatives collectively as dismantling social protections to advance privatization, arguing that consolidating executive power through the constitutional amendment is essential to their implementation.
