The Speaker of Parliament has received the Supreme Court’s determination on the 22nd Constitutional Amendment, the Speaker’s Office confirmed in a statement today.
It is reported that the confidential opinion of the Court will be formally announced in Parliament tomorrow (22). The determination was conveyed to the Speaker following the conclusion of hearings earlier this month.
The 22nd Constitutional Amendment Bill and the Judicial Reforms Bill were presented to Parliament on August 18 by Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara.
In response, more than 65 petitions were filed challenging the Bills, which were taken up for hearing on September 1 before a five‑judge bench presided over by the Chief Justice.
The hearings concluded on September 2, with the bench stating that its determination on the constitutionality of the Bills would be referred to the Speaker.
Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Business Committee has scheduled the debate on the 22nd Constitutional Amendment Bill for September 24 and 25, setting the stage for a crucial discussion on the proposed reforms. (Newswire)