[REVISION HISTORY]
Sri Lanka advances judicial retirement age amendments
Updated 12 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.
What changed
2026-08-18 12:16 UTC → 2026-08-24 09:57 UTC ·
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The Sri Lankan government has moved forward with legislative efforts to extend the mandatory retirement age for senior judges. Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara presented the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution Bill, which proposes raising the retirement age for Supreme Court judges from 65 to 67 and Court of Appeal judges from 63 to 65. The accompanying Judicature (Amendment) Bill seeks similar proportional increases for judges in lower courts. courts, including increasing the maximum number of High Court judges from 110 to 120. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration and government officials defend defends the measures as administrative necessities. They argue the changes are required necessities to address a massive judicial backlog—estimated at backlog of over 1.1 million pending cases—and to ensure systemic efficiency by retaining experienced personnel. The President has specifically noted the importance of continuity for major legal proceedings, such as cases. To address opposition, the ongoing Easter Sunday attacks trial. The proposal has President met intense opposition from various legal and political entities. The with the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, the Judicial Service Association, and the Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association have voiced concerns. Critics, including former foreign minister GL Peiris, have characterized Lanka (BASL) to discuss the move as a “direct assault on proposal. However, BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya stated the independence of legal profession remains “firmly opposed” to the country’s judiciary,” suggesting it decision. Opposition has intensified, with UN Special Rapporteur Margaret Satterthwaite warning that ad hoc changes could allow the executive branch lead to manipulate court functions executive interference. Political figures, including Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and undermine the separation of powers. In Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) party, have called for a significant escalation, national referendum, arguing the changes affect the sovereignty of the people. The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has filed a petition with the Supreme Court challenging formally challenged the constitutionality of the 22nd Amendment. Acting as Amendment in the petitioner, SJB General Secretary and MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara argues Supreme Court (case SC/SD/31/2026), arguing that altering the tenure of serving judges threatens judicial independence, the separation of powers, and the sovereignty of the people. powers. The SJB contends that such changes should require a special parliamentary majority and amendment currently awaits Supreme Court verdicts on its constitutionality before proceeding to a national referendum. second reading in Parliament.
Versions
- 2026-08-24 09:57 UTC Sri Lanka advances judicial retirement age amendments
- 2026-08-18 12:16 UTC Sri Lanka advances judicial retirement age amendments
- 2026-08-18 12:13 UTC Sri Lanka advances judicial retirement age amendments
- 2026-08-15 12:16 UTC Sri Lanka to table judicial retirement age amendments
- 2026-08-15 05:13 UTC Sri Lanka to table judicial retirement age amendments
- 2026-08-12 03:11 UTC Sri Lanka advances judicial retirement age amendment
- 2026-08-09 05:12 UTC Sri Lanka advances judicial retirement age amendment
- 2026-08-06 16:03 UTC Sri Lanka judges retirement age amendment
- 2026-08-05 03:31 UTC Sri Lanka judges retirement age amendment
- 2026-08-04 10:37 UTC Sri Lanka judges retirement age amendment
- 2026-07-30 22:48 UTC Sri Lanka judges retirement age amendment
- 2026-07-29 21:28 UTC Sri Lanka judges retirement age debate
- 2026-07-26 11:26 UTC Sri Lanka judges retirement age debate
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