Supreme Court rules 22nd Amendment needs no public referendum

The Supreme Court has cleared the path for Parliament to pass the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution without holding a public referendum, according to a determination announced in the House by the Speaker.

The court's ruling establishes that the proposed amendment, which seeks to extend the retirement age for certain constitutional office holders, falls within Parliament's authority to enact through a special majority vote rather than requiring approval through a nationwide ballot.

The determination addresses a key constitutional question about the amendment's procedural requirements. Under Sri Lanka's constitutional framework, certain amendments necessitate public referendums, while others require only enhanced parliamentary majorities. The Supreme Court's decision categorizes the 22nd Amendment in the latter category.

The ruling enables legislators to proceed with debating and voting on the amendment in Parliament. The bill must still secure the requisite special majority—typically a two-thirds parliamentary majority—to advance toward enactment.

The amendment has been a subject of parliamentary discussion as the government pursues constitutional reforms. The court's determination now removes a procedural obstacle that could have delayed or prevented the amendment's passage.