Sri Lankan Judges and Opposition Oppose Retirement Age Extension

The Government of Sri Lanka proposed extending the retirement age of all judges by two years to mitigate case delays and judge shortages. While extensions for lower court judges would require legislative amendments, extending the tenure of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges requires a constitutional amendment. This plan expands a previous proposal that targeted only superior court judges.

The Judicial Service Association of Sri Lanka (JSASL) unanimously passed a resolution rejecting the move during a special general meeting at the Kaduwela Magistrate Court. The association subsequently sent a formal letter to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, arguing that altering constitutionally enshrined retirement ages would violate legal norms and undermine judicial integrity. The meeting coincided with the resignation of JSASL President Pasan Amarasena, who had expressed support for extending the Chief Justice's tenure.

Political opposition has been sharp, with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna condemning the plan as a "shameful" attempt to undermine judicial independence. SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam alleged the move is driven by political objectives, while former Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne claimed the government intends to secure judicial support for political revenge against opposition members. The Bar Association of Sri Lanka also raised concerns regarding superior court extensions. The government has not yet issued an official response to the JSASL's request to abandon the changes.