National People’s Power (NPP) Parliamentarian Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi has filed a petition before the Supreme Court supporting the government’s proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution.
The petition argues that the provisions of the Bill do not infringe on the sovereignty of the people or the independence of the judiciary.
Nipuna Arachchi has therefore asked the Supreme Court to determine that the proposed amendment does not require approval at a public referendum and can be enacted through the parliamentary procedure provided for under the Constitution.
The petition comes as the proposed amendment faces legal challenges before the Supreme Court, with at least 21 petitions reportedly filed questioning its constitutionality.
The government has said it is prepared to proceed with the proposed constitutional reforms and will comply with any direction issued by the Supreme Court on whether a referendum is required.
The Supreme Court is expected to consider the petitions challenging the Bill before Parliament proceeds with the proposed constitutional amendment. (Newswire)