{
  "id": 5000255,
  "title": "SC rejects petitioners’ request for full bench",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/sc-rejects-petitioners-request-for-full-bench",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-02T00:05:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Island Sri Lanka",
    "slug": "the-island-sri-lanka",
    "url": "http://island.lk/sc-rejects-petitioners-request-for-full-bench/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Supreme Court declined a petitioners' plea for a full bench to hear challenges to the 22nd Amendment of the Constitution. Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena ruled that the petitions would be addressed by a five-judge panel. On behalf of one petitioner, President’s Counsel M. A. Sumanthiran had initially requested a larger panel when the cases were brought before the five-judge bench, headed by the Chief Justice. Other counsel representing multiple petitioners made the same request. Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne, speaking for the Attorney General, emphasized the Chief Justice's authority to decide bench size, citing Article 132(3) of the Constitution. This meant no other party could challenge or interfere with the Chief Justice's decision.",
  "summary": "The Supreme Court yesterday rejected a request that the petitions challenging the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution be heard by a full bench of the Supreme Court. Rejecting the request, Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena said the consideration of the petitions would proceed before the five-judge bench. Appearing on behalf of one of the petitioners, […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}