The Supreme Court on Wednesday concluded its consideration of the petitions filed against the Government’s proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, closing two days of argument on the most heavily challenged constitutional amendment in Sri Lanka’s recent history.

Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena announced that the court’s determination on the Bill’s constitutionality will be communicated confidentially to the Speaker of Parliament. The bench directed all parties to file written submissions before 3.00 p.m. on Thursday.

The five-judge bench comprised the Chief Justice and Justices Achala Wengappuli, Arjuna Obeyesekere, Sampath Abeykoon and Gihan Kulatunga. A total of 67 petitions were filed after the Government presented the Bill to Parliament on 18 August, following its publication in the Gazette.

Appearing for the Attorney General, Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne submitted that the Government had brought forward both the 22nd Amendment Bill and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill with the objective of expanding and streamlining the country’s judicial system.

Counsel for the petitioners pressed the opposite case. President’s Counsel Srinath Perera argued that the amendment’s provisions would directly or indirectly affect members of the judiciary, and that it would be inappropriate for judges to adjudicate on matters that could affect them personally. President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris submitted that constitutional reform should serve both present and future generations, and should not be driven by popular sentiment or temporary political considerations. Attorneys-at-Law Suren Fernando and Lakshan Dias also made submissions.

The first day of hearings, on Tuesday, ran until 10.30 p.m. At the start of those proceedings, President’s Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran, appearing for the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, asked that the petitions be heard before a full bench of all sitting Supreme Court judges. The bench rejected that request and continued with the originally appointed panel.

Neither newsroom reported when the determination is due to reach the Speaker.