Supreme Court says 22nd Amendment does not require referendum

The Supreme Court has determined that the proposed 22nd Amendment to Sri Lanka’s Constitution does not require approval at a referendum and can be passed with a two-thirds majority in Parliament.

The court’s determination had been forwarded to Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne, who presented it to Parliament on Tuesday at the commencement of proceedings.

Under the Constitution, amendments that do not fall within provisions requiring approval by the people at a referendum may be enacted with the support of at least two-thirds of the total membership of Parliament.

Parliament had earlier scheduled the 22nd Amendment for debate on 24 and 25 September.