31 August 2026 — Chief Justice P. Padman Surasena has constituted a special five‑judge bench of the Supreme Court to hear and determine all petitions filed challenging the proposed Twenty Second Amendment to the Constitution.
In an administrative order issued today, the Chief Justice noted that multiple petitions have been submitted against the Bill, while several individuals have also sought to intervene in those proceedings. Considering “all relevant circumstances,” the Chief Justice directed that a consolidated bench be appointed to hear every petition relating to the Bill.
Bench Composition
The bench will comprise:
- Chief Justice P. Padman Surasena
- Justice Achala Wengappuli
- Justice Arjuna Obeyesekere
- Justice Sampath B. Abhayakoon
- Justice Gihan Kulathunga
This panel will hear all existing petitions as well as any additional petitions filed in due course challenging the same Bill.
Listing Date Set for 1 September
The Registrar of the Supreme Court has been directed to list the petitions on 01 September 2026, with notice to all petitioners and to the Attorney General, enabling the Court to conduct and conclude the inquiry into the constitutional challenges.
The order marks the first formal step toward judicial scrutiny of the 22nd Amendment Bill, which has triggered significant public and institutional interest due to its implications for constitutional governance.
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