Sri Lanka Judicial Service Association President Pasan Amarasekara Resigns Over Retirement Age Dispute

Pasan Amarasekara, president of the Judicial Service Association (JSA) in Sri Lanka, announced his immediate resignation. He said the decision was forced by a dispute with the association’s secretary and most of its executive committee over a proposed Special General Meeting to consider extending judges’ retirement age.

Amarasekara argued the meeting, planned for 11 July 2026, would violate the JSA’s constitution because it lacked the required signed request from at least one‑third of members and was being arranged without the Judicial Service Commission’s concurrence. He also alleged that minutes of the executive committee had been altered. The JSA, which represents district judges and magistrates, operates without a formal written constitution and bases its procedures on long‑standing practice. His resignation reflects deep tension within the judiciary over potential changes to judges’ tenure.