Sri Lanka faces legal backlash over plan to extend judges' retirement age

Sri Lanka is considering a constitutional amendment to raise the mandatory retirement age for Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been urged by the Colombo Law Society to abandon the proposal, warning that it could erode public confidence in judicial independence. The society argues that extending the tenure of sitting judges may appear to protect favorable appointments and undermine the separation of powers.

Steven Thiru, president of the Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association, cautioned that a similar move in Zimbabwe triggered a crisis of legitimacy for its judiciary. He warned that if Sri Lanka proceeds without broad public consultation and a transparent process, it risks a comparable loss of trust. Both groups stress that any amendment should be transparent, widely consulted, and must not be perceived as benefitting current judges.

The debate highlights concerns over executive influence on the courts and the need to preserve the credibility of Sri Lanka’s legal system.