COLOMBO, Aug. 18 -- The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) on Tuesday (18) filed a Supreme Court petition challenging the constitutionality of the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, arguing it requires both a two-thirds parliamentary majority and public approval at a referendum.

The petition, filed by BASL Treasurer T.M.S. Pasindu Silva and Assistant Secretary Lakitha Wakishta Arachchi, came hours after Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara presented the 22nd Amendment Bill and the accompanying Judicature (Amendment) Bill in Parliament.

The government gazetted the amendment on August 7. Under parliamentary procedure, petitions challenging a Bill's constitutionality may be filed in the week following i...