The President and Secretary of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) have filed a Special Determination petition before the Supreme Court, seeking a declaration that the proposed Twenty Second Amendment to the Constitution requires approval by the people at a referendum.
BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya and Secretary Nalin De Silva filed the petition today under Articles 120 and 121 of the Constitution.
The petition argues that the proposed amendment raises serious constitutional concerns, including its potential impact on the independence of the Judiciary and the sovereignty of the people.
The BASL has also requested the Chief Justice to constitute a Full Bench comprising all sitting Supreme Court judges to hear the matter.
According to the petitioners, the Bill gives rise to grave, exceptional and urgent constitutional issues that warrant consideration by a Full Bench. They have also cited an alleged conflict of interest in seeking the special composition of the Bench.
