Sri Lanka faces protests over judicial tenure extensions

The Sri Lankan government has implemented a policy to extend the tenure of sitting judges, a move that has triggered widespread protests and criticism from legal professionals and civic groups. Opponents argue that the extension, carried out through executive or legislative action rather than independent processes, threatens the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary.

In a related legal development, the Supreme Court addressed the constitutionality of the 22A amendment. A five-judge bench rejected a petition to convene a Full Court of all thirteen judges, citing the Chief Justice's constitutional discretion to appoint a bench of five or more judges for matters of public importance. The decision noted that deviating from the Chief Justice's appointment would constitute an abdication of his constitutional role.