Sri Lanka faces judicial and civic space challenges

Sri Lanka is facing significant legal and constitutional challenges regarding judicial independence and civic freedoms. The government has tabled the 22nd Amendment Bill, which proposes raising the retirement age for superior court judges. This move has sparked intense debate, with the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) and civil groups warning that the amendment could undermine the autonomy of the judiciary. UN Special Rapporteur Margaret Satterthwaite has also expressed concern that the change threatens the rule of law.

Simultaneously, concerns are rising regarding the shrinking of civic space in the country. Since 2023, Sri Lanka has introduced or proposed at least seven laws affecting speech, publication, and organization, including the Online Safety Act, the Anti-Corruption Act, and the Cybersecurity Bill. Analysts warn that the rapid digitalization of the state, combined with these overlapping legal instruments, creates a framework that could facilitate unprecedented censorship, surveillance, and repression.