The Supreme Court yesterday concluded hearing 15 petitions challenging the constitutionality of the Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Bill presented to Parliament by the Government.

A three-member bench, comprising Justices Shiran Gooneratne, Mahinda Samayawardhena and Sampath Wijeratne, heard the petitions over two days.

Following the conclusion of oral submissions, the bench directed the relevant parties to file any written submissions by noon on Monday.

The Court said its determination on the constitutionality of the proposed legislation would be communicated confidentially to the Speaker of Parliament and the President in due course.

The petitions were filed by several parties, including former Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris, the Media Law Forum and Transparency International Sri Lanka.

The petitioners contended that the proposed amendments would curtail judicial power and infringe fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

They accordingly urged the Supreme Court to determine that the Bill, in its present form, requires approval by the people at a referendum in addition to the required parliamentary process.

The Court’s determination will be conveyed to the Speaker, who will then communicate the relevant constitutional position to Parliament in accordance with the Constitution.

US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Chairman Laura DiBella and FMC Commissioner Robert J. Harvey will visit Sri Lanka September 6–10 to advance US-Sri Lanka cooperation on maritime trade, investment, and the shipping networks connecting American businesses and consumers to markets across the Indo-Pacific. During her visit, Chairman DiBella and Commissioner Harvey will meet with senior Sri Lankan government and maritime leaders. Chairman DiBella will deliver remarks at the 8th Colombo International Maritime and Logistics Conference and Commissioner Harvey will serve on a panel.

“Over 80 percent of the containers moving through Colombo continue on to destinations around the world—a remarkable illustration of Sri Lanka’s role at the heart of Indian Ocean shipping,” said U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Eric Meyer. “Chairman DiBella’s visit recognizes the importance of that role and provides an opportunity to deepen our cooperation with the people and institutions that keep this vital trade moving across the Indo-Pacific.

Secure and efficient shipping creates opportunities for American businesses, strengthens Sri Lanka’s position as a regional hub, and supports prosperity in both our economies.”

Established in 1961, the Federal Maritime Commission is the independent federal agency responsible for regulating the U.S. international ocean transportation system for the benefit of U.S. exporters, importers, and consumers. The FMC works to promote a competitive and reliable international ocean transportation system and protect the American public from unfair or deceptive practices in the shipping industry.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for a national dialogue on constitutional reform, proposing that Sri Lanka consider establishing a dedicated Constitutional Court or another specialised mechanism to review constitutional matters as part of long-term institutional reforms.

Premadasa made the proposal following a meeting with Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association President, Steven Thiru, at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Colombo, where they discussed constitutional democracy, the separation of powers, judicial independence, the rule of law and environmental justice.

He stressed that constitutional institutions must be designed to function independently and credibly regardless of which political party holds power.

“Judicial independence is not a privilege of judges, but a safeguard for the people and the constitutional system of government,” Premadasa said.

He said constitutional reforms should not be driven by the immediate political interests of either the Government or the Opposition, but should provide lasting safeguards for citizens and institutions when political power changes hands.

Premadasa said any reform affecting independent constitutional institutions should be supported by adequate safeguards, clear justification, transparency and meaningful consultation with the public and other stakeholders.

The Commonwealth Latimer House Principles were also discussed as an international benchmark on the separation of powers among Parliament, the Executive and the Judiciary, as well as judicial independence, accountability and transparency.

Premadasa said Sri Lanka could examine, without interfering with ongoing judicial proceedings, whether a dedicated Constitutional Court or another specialised constitutional review mechanism was necessary. He said such a proposal would require careful consideration of its powers, composition, appointments, tenure, accessibility and relationship with the existing Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.

The meeting also focused on environmental justice. Premadasa referred to Section 14 of the Environmental Charter 2.0, presented during the 2024 presidential election, which proposed establishing a specialised environmental court or tribunal.

He said Sri Lanka could study the experience of other Commonwealth jurisdictions before determining whether a court, tribunal or hybrid model would be most appropriate.

The discussions come amid heightened debate over judicial independence following the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution and the recent Supreme Court hearing on petitions challenging the Bill.