⚖️ Proposed 22nd Amendment Faces Swift Supreme Court Challenges

• Overview & Legal Battle: The Government's proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution and Judicature (Amendment) Bill face immediate petitions in the Supreme Court following their tabling in Parliament. Petitioners seek a determination that the legislation requires both a two-thirds parliamentary majority and approval via a national referendum. • Proposed Changes: • Supreme Court: Raises judge retirement age from 65 to 67 years. • Court of Appeal: Increases judge retirement age from 63 to 65 years. • Lower Courts: Proposes retirement age adjustments for judicial officers via the Judicature (Amendment) Bill. • Government Rationale: Aimed at resolving structural shortages and tackling the country's severe backlog of cases. • Key Challengers & Grounds: • Petitioners: SJB (SC/SD/31/2026), BASL office-bearers, Prof. G.L. Peiris, and Free Lawyers Movement. • Arguments: Extending retirement ages for sitting judges alters terms of service, threatening judicial independence, separation of powers, and public sovereignty. Prof. Peiris argued that applying extension retrospectively to incumbent judges could be perceived as an improper inducement. • Parliamentary Context: Tabled by Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara amid opposition protests led by Sajith Premadasa ahead of today's Second Reading.