The deadline for presentation of written submissions in connection with the petitions, filed before the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the 22nd Amendment Bill, ended at 3.00 p.m. today (03).

However, several petitioner parties, including the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), informed the Supreme Court through motions that they would not be filing written submissions in relation to the relevant petitions.

A total of 67 petitions, including several intervening petitions, were filed before the Supreme Court challenging and supporting the constitutionality of the 22nd Amendment Bill.

The petitions were first taken up on September 1 before a five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, where the petitioners’ request for the matter to be considered before a full bench was rejected.

Accordingly, the petitions were heard over two days before the five- judge bench, with the hearing concluding last evening (02).

At the conclusion of the hearing, all parties were granted until 3.00 p.m. today to submit their written submissions before the Supreme Court related to petitions challenging the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution.

However, the petitioners have emphasised in their motions that the Supreme Court rejected their request for the appointment of a full bench without providing reasons.

The petitioners have also pointed out that, following submissions by counsel representing the government, they had requested an opportunity to make oral responses but were not permitted to do so. As a result, they said they were not given an opportunity to clarify or present counterarguments regarding the submissions made by the government.

Meanwhile, the determination of the five-judge Supreme Court bench on the constitutionality of the 22nd Amendment Bill is expected to be communicated confidentially to the President and the Speaker of Parliament in due course.