In an unprecedented development in recent political history, all opposition parties collectively voted against the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution during its second‑reading debate held today. The 22nd Constitutional Amendment Bill and the Judicial Organizations Amendment Bill received 63 votes against, while 158 government MPs voted in favour, a move widely attributed to fear and pressure exerted by the Pelawatte power bloc.
Notably, MP Ravi Karunanayake was absent during the vote. According to a special parliamentary source, Karunanayake had deliberately avoided attending the session. Meanwhile, Faizer Mustapha, long seen engaging in political manoeuvres with Anura Kumara Dissanayake, was reportedly sidelined following internal party pressure linked to the controversial Anojan faction.
Another absentee was Nayana Wasalathilake, who has been attending Parliament only sporadically due to the imminent risk of losing his seat. He, too, was missing during today’s decisive vote.
Claims that all MPs supported the 22nd Amendment have been dismissed as a gross exaggeration. Government MPs who privately communicated with reporters over recent weeks expressed clear discomfort with the amendment. However, they also acknowledged that defying the Pelawatte leadership could jeopardize their political survival, leaving them with little choice but to vote in favour.
Throughout Sri Lanka’s political history, contentious constitutional amendments have often been passed using the government’s two‑thirds majority. Today’s vote follows that familiar pattern. Yet analysts warn that the long‑term political consequences of pushing through the 22nd Amendment under such pressure may prove significant.
How severe this decision will be—politically and institutionally—remains a question only time will answer.
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