World · Sri Lanka Bureau
Commonwealth Lawyers' Chief Questions Supreme Court Bench Composition
The president of the Commonwealth Lawyers' Association has raised concerns about the judicial bench assigned to hear the 22nd Amendment case, citing potential impartiality questions. The intervention adds another layer of complexity to the constitutional dispute currently before Sri Lanka's apex court.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
The Commonwealth Lawyers' Association has formally flagged concerns regarding the composition of the Supreme Court bench hearing arguments on the 22nd Amendment to Sri Lanka's Constitution. The association's chief expressed reservations about whether the current bench arrangement meets international standards for judicial independence and impartiality in matters of constitutional significance. The remarks underscore growing scrutiny over the court's handling of the politically sensitive case, which has drawn attention from both domestic legal circles and the international legal community. The 22nd Amendment, which seeks to alter constitutional provisions related to presidential powers and parliamentary oversight, remains pending before the Supreme Court following separate petitions challenging its validity. The Commonwealth Lawyers' Association's intervention reflects concerns shared by portions of the local legal profession about procedural propriety in the ongoing constitutional proceedings. The court has not yet issued a ruling on the substantive merits of the amendment challenge.