The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Women’s Wing has filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking a constitutional determination on the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution.

The petition was filed on behalf of the SLFP and its Women’s Wing by Attorney-at-Law Anuradha Lakmini Gurugé, the Secretary of the SLFP Women’s Wing.

The petitioner states that certain provisions of the proposed amendment could have a direct impact on judges currently serving in office, potentially affecting judicial independence, the separation of powers, and the system of checks and balances.

They further contend that any amendment to the Constitution should strengthen democracy and safeguard the independence of the judiciary. According to the petition, the proposed amendment has been introduced hastily, without adequate public discussion or sufficient transparency.

The petitioners claim that the proposed changes could have a direct adverse impact on the sovereignty of the people, guaranteed under Article 3 of the Constitution, as well as the inalienable sovereignty vested in the people under Article 4c.

Accordingly, the SLFP Women’s Wing has asked the Supreme Court to determine that, in addition to the required parliamentary majority, the proposed constitutional changes relating to judicial independence must also receive direct approval from the people through a referendum.

The petition therefore seeks a determination from the Supreme Court on whether the proposed 22nd Amendment can be enacted without obtaining approval at a referendum.