Petition alleges fundamental rights violated over unheard 22nd Amendment challenge

Tuesday, 8 September 2026 05:37 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A fundamental rights petition has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking a declaration that the rights of two petitioners were violated after the Court allegedly failed to hear a petition challenging the 22nd Amendment Bill to the Constitution presented to Parliament by the Government.

The petition was filed by Union of National Organisations Convenor Dulara Gunathilake and retired Sri Lanka Air Force officer Shantha Jayathilake.

The petitioners state that Gunathilake had previously filed a petition before the Supreme Court challenging the 22nd Amendment Bill, but that the petition was not called in open Court for examination. They have requested the Court to determine that their fundamental rights were violated as a result of the omission.

The petitioners have also requested an interim order preventing the Court’s determination on the 22nd Amendment Bill from being communicated to the Speaker of Parliament until the present petition is heard and a final judgment delivered.