Parliament clears 22nd Amendment with two-thirds majority

By The Pulseline News Desk

Parliament has approved the second and third readings of the proposed 22^nd Amendment to the Constitution by a two-thirds majority, with the Government securing 158 votes in favour against 63 votes in both divisions.

The second reading of the Bill was passed with 158 MPs voting for it and 63 voting against, paving the way for consideration of the proposed constitutional changes at the committee stage.

The legislation subsequently cleared its third reading with the same 158-63 vote, bringing parliamentary approval of the proposed amendment to an end.

The vote marks a significant step in the Government’s attempt to introduce changes to the constitutional and judicial framework, particularly amid an intense political and legal debate over the proposed reforms.

The 22^nd Amendment has attracted considerable attention because of provisions relating to the retirement age of judges of the superior courts, with the proposal triggering objections from sections of the legal profession, opposition parties and civil society groups.

Petitions challenging the legislation had previously been taken up by the Supreme Court, where arguments centred on judicial independence, separation of powers and the constitutional implications of extending the tenure of judges.

The Government, meanwhile, has maintained that the proposed reforms are intended to strengthen the administration of justice and address delays in the judicial process, rather than to interfere with the independence of the judiciary.

The parliamentary vote also comes against the backdrop of wider debate over the balance between constitutional reform and institutional independence, with the Government defending the legislation while opponents have questioned aspects of the proposed changes.

With both readings receiving two-thirds majorities, the outcome is likely to remain closely watched by the legal community and political parties, particularly given the constitutional and institutional issues raised during the parliamentary and Supreme Court proceedings.

The passage of the Bill also represents a key test for the Government’s constitutional reform agenda, as attention now turns to the implementation of the approved changes and their implications for Sri Lanka’s judicial and constitutional framework.