Sri Lanka MP Namal Rajapaksa calls for referendum on extending Supreme Court judges' tenure

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, said any amendment to extend the retirement age or tenure of Supreme Court judges must be approved by the public through a referendum. He argued that such a constitutional change is too significant to be decided solely by Parliament or the executive and stressed the need for direct democratic participation.

Rajapaksa linked the proposal to broader public grievances, claiming the government has lost trust by failing to fulfil election promises and by imposing heavy tax burdens amid rising living costs, fertilizer shortages, and crime concerns. He contended that the judiciary reform is being prioritized despite opposition from legal experts and urged the SLPP to strengthen its grassroots support while pushing for the referendum.