From the First to the 22nd: A short history of Amendment Politics and Reform Frustrations
by Rajan Philips The die is cast yet again over a constitutional amendment in Sri Lanka. But the latest of the amendments – the 22nd of them in 48 years – comes in the midst of a unique set of political circumstances and may entail equally unique consequences. The first 16 of the amendments were […]
The 22nd amendment to Sri Lanka's constitution, introduced in 2024, marks a continuation of the country's amendment politics. The first 16 amendments were enacted within a decade of the constitution's inception, all under President JR Jayewardene's rule. All 16 amendments were primarily expedient, partisan, and ad hominem, with no reformist purpose.
The first reformist amendment, the 17th, was introduced in 2001 during President Chandrika Kumaratunga's tenure. However, it failed to abolish the presidency, and instead, subsequent amendments ceded more power to the executive. The current 22nd amendment does not align with reformist goals but rather reflects the pattern of expedient and ad hominem amendments from the early 20th century.
This amendment highlights the ongoing struggle for constitutional reform in Sri Lanka, with the government failing to initiate reform processes despite its commitment to it. The political climate and the succession of leaders have contributed to this frustration, with the 22nd amendment being the latest attempt to address the issues, which some view as a reaction to the judicial backlog rather than a genuine reform.
Written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
