By The Pulseline News Desk
The Supreme Court (SC) today shifted the hearing of 67 petitions on the Government’s proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution from Court No. 502 to the larger Ceremonial Court, Court No. 501, after the courtroom was packed beyond capacity.
The hearing, which was originally scheduled to commence earlier in the morning, eventually got underway close to 11 a.m. after the five-judge bench and those present for the proceedings moved to the more spacious courtroom.
The five-judge bench, presided over by the Chief Justice, had initially taken its seat in Court No. 502. However, the courtroom was filled beyond its capacity, leaving many lawyers, petitioners and other attendees unable to enter.
Just before the case number was announced, President’s Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran, appearing for the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), had informed Court that there was insufficient space to accommodate those present and requested that the hearing be moved to Court No. 501.
The request was supported by several other senior counsel, including President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris and President’s Counsel Geoffrey Alagaratnam.
Following a brief consultation among the judges, the bench had decided to move the proceedings to the Ceremonial Court.
The move itself had caused a further delay as lawyers, petitioners, members of the public and court staff made their way into Court No. 501.
The unusually large turnout reflects the intense legal interest surrounding the proposed constitutional amendment. More than 100 lawyers have marked appearances on behalf of the BASL in the proceedings.
The courtroom arrangements had also raised questions because, according to sources, the original court list published yesterday, the petitions concerning the 22nd Amendment had been scheduled to be heard in Court No. 501. The cases were, however, moved to Court No. 502 this morning, with no apparent reason immediately given for the change.
Meanwhile, when SC/SD/28/2026 was called, Sumanthiran had requested that the matter be heard by the Full Court of the Supreme Court, rather than by the current five-judge bench.
There are currently 13 sitting judges in the Supreme Court, meaning the five-judge bench hearing the petitions does not comprise even half of the Court’s sitting judges.
The 67 petitions challenge various aspects of the Government’s proposed 22nd Amendment, which has generated considerable legal and political controversy, particularly over provisions relating to the judiciary.
The Supreme Court is now required to determine whether the provisions of the Bill are consistent with the Constitution. Its determination will subsequently be communicated to Parliament as the Government seeks to advance the proposed constitutional changes.
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