The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) has called for a public referendum to be held to enact the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution.

The decision was reportedly taken at a recent meeting of the party’s Political Committee.

In a statement, the ITAK said the proposed amendment concerns the sovereignty of the people and, therefore, requires approval through a referendum.

The 22nd Amendment Bill seeks to increase the retirement age of Supreme Court judges from 65 to 67 and that of Court of Appeal judges from 63 to 65.

It also proposes increasing the retirement age of judges of the High Court, District Courts and Magistrates’ Courts to 62.