Sri Lanka cabinet backs amendment to extend judges' retirement age

Sri Lanka’s cabinet approved the draft Twenty‑Second Constitutional Amendment, which would raise the retirement age of Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court judges and the Chief Justice by two years, and also extend the tenure of district and magistrate judges. The government says the change will speed the disposal of more than one million pending cases and ease pressure on overcrowded prisons, where facilities hold far beyond their capacity.

Opposition parties and legal professionals argue the amendment threatens judicial independence and lacks a consultative process. The International Association of Judges has called on the National People's Power government to withdraw the proposal, warning it could allow executive influence over senior courts. Cabinet spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said meetings with the chief prelates of the three Nikayas showed no opposition to the reforms, and Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara confirmed the government’s aim to improve case efficiency.

The amendment now awaits publication in the Government Gazette and subsequent parliamentary approval.