Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa yesterday called in Parliament for the immediate withdrawal of the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, alleging that the legislation degrades fundamental rights and undermines the rule of law.
Addressing the House during the parliamentary debate on the bill, Premadasa claimed that the government is attempting to subjugate the Judiciary to executive supremacy.
He asserted that the proposed changes dismantle the separation of powers and convert judicial institutions into instruments of the executive branch, contradicting the administration's stated commitment to democratic reform.
Threat to judicial independence
Premadasa argued that no comprehensive study supports the extension of the retirement age of judges, noting that a 2023 Asian Development Bank report on judicial issues omitted any such recommendation.
Citing the Jagath Dias v. Upali Abeyratne case, where a three-judge Supreme Court Bench determined that extending judges' retirement ages required a referendum, he questioned President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's current stance, despite the Supreme Court ruling that this specific amendment does not require a public vote.
He further noted that decisions regarding judicial tenures should involve a full Bench constituted strictly by seniority, accusing the administration of ignoring key legal stakeholders.
Recalling past shifts in executive power through the 17th to the 21st Amendments, Premadasa stated that past centralisation of authority contributed directly to the island's recent financial collapse.
Allegations of political subjugation
Rejecting claims that opposition to the bill is politically motivated, Premadasa highlighted that independent legal bodies, including the Colombo High Court Lawyers' Association and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, have voiced strong objections to the legislation.
He refuted allegations regarding his party's ties to legal figures and dismissed previous government assertions, pointing out that official assurances given on 11 June 2026 regarding the matter were contradicted by subsequent developments on 23 June.
Premadasa accused the ruling coalition of abandoning its manifesto pledge to abolish the executive presidency, warning instead that the government is steering the nation towards authoritarian control directed from the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna headquarters in Pelawatte.
The SJB leader reiterated his party's stance against the concentration of power, warning that the passage of the amendment risks establishing an unaccountable executive authority over independent state institutions.
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