The Tamil political party ITAK has called for a public referendum on the proposed 22nd Constitutional Amendment, arguing that changes affecting national sovereignty require direct popular approval.
The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) has formally requested that a referendum be conducted before the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution is enacted, according to a decision made at a recent meeting of the party's Political Committee.
The party contends that constitutional changes of this nature warrant public consultation through a referendum, given their implications for the sovereignty of the people. In a statement, ITAK outlined its position that direct democratic approval should precede the amendment's passage.
The 22nd Amendment Bill proposes modifications to the mandatory retirement ages across Sri Lanka's judiciary. Under the proposed changes, Supreme Court judges would retire at 67 instead of 65, while Court of Appeal judges would transition from a retirement age of 63 to 65. The amendment also seeks to establish a uniform retirement age of 62 for judges serving in the High Court, District Courts, and Magistrates' Courts.
The ITAK's intervention adds another dimension to the constitutional amendment process, raising questions about the scope of public participation in judicial reform decisions.
