Speaker of House Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne today (20) informed Parliament that he has received copies of four additional petitions filed before the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution.

The Speaker made the announcement when Parliament commenced its sittings today (20).

Meanwhile, yesterday (19), the Speaker informed Parliament that copies of three petitions challenging the 22nd Amendment had been received. A separate petition challenging the Judicature (Amendment) Bill was also received at the time. 

The 22nd Amendment Bill was presented to Parliament on August 18 by the Minister of Justice, Harshana Nanayakkara. 

The proposed legislation seeks changes to provisions concerning the judiciary, including the retirement ages of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges. It also proposes changes affecting the composition of the Court of Appeal. 

The petitions have been filed under Article 121(1) of the Constitution, which provides a mechanism for challenging the constitutionality of a Bill before it is passed by Parliament. 

The Supreme Court is required to communicate its determination on such a challenge to the Speaker within the constitutionally prescribed period. 

The proposed amendment has already come under increased legal and political scrutiny. The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has also challenged the Bill before the Supreme Court and has called for its constitutionality to be considered by a full bench.

The government, meanwhile, has said it is prepared to follow whatever procedure is determined by the Supreme Court, including securing the required parliamentary majority or holding a referendum if the Court determines that one is necessary.

With the latest four petitions, at least seven petitions have now been filed before the Supreme Court challenging the proposed 22nd Amendment.