The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka is expected to deliver its verdict on petitions related to the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution on September 18, according to informed sources. The amendment, which proposes increasing the retirement age of superior court judges, has prompted more than 110 petitions both opposing and supporting the change. These submissions have been reviewed by a five-judge bench led by Chief Justice Prenia Pathman Surasena.

Under constitutional provisions, the court is required to issue its decision within three weeks of hearing the petitions. The ruling will be formally communicated to the Speaker of Parliament upon completion.

Coinciding with the domestic legal proceedings, Sri Lanka is scheduled to present its position before the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Monday regarding the 22nd Amendment. A senior official from the Foreign Ministry stated that the government intends to emphasize the necessity of the amendment as a measure to address the backlog of court cases and improve the efficiency of the judicial system.

In its UNHRC engagement, the government is also expected to highlight achievements made since its current administration assumed office two years ago. Key points include commitments to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act, return lands held by the military in the northern region, and bolster mechanisms for domestic accountability.

The government’s dual focus on constitutional reform and international scrutiny reflects ongoing efforts to streamline Sri Lanka’s judiciary while responding to international concerns related to human rights and governance. The Supreme Court’s upcoming verdict will be a critical step in determining the future legal framework governing the judiciary’s operations.