Sri Lanka to extend judges' tenure despite judicial independence concerns

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COLOMBO: Sri Lanka will press ahead with plans to raise the retirement age of judges despite criticism that the move could undermine judicial independence.

The government says the constitutional amendment is aimed at reducing a backlog of around 1.1 million pending court cases and addressing a shortage of judges, rejecting allegations that it is intended to benefit Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena.

Under the proposal, the retirement age of Supreme Court judges would increase from 65 to 67, Court of Appeal judges from 63 to 65, and lower court judges from 60 to 62. The reforms also include plans to establish more courthouses and recruit additional judges after recent appointments fell short of filling existing vacancies.

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka has strongly opposed the proposal, arguing it is a covert attempt to extend the chief justice's tenure before his scheduled retirement in November. 

Former Bar Association president Saliya Peiris warned the move could damage President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's legacy and weaken confidence in the independence of the judiciary. The amendment requires a two-thirds parliamentary majority, which the government currently holds, and is expected to take about two months to pass.