Sri Lanka Supreme Court Clears Judicial Retirement Age Extension

The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka ruled that the Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution does not require a national referendum and can be passed with a special majority in Parliament. The amendment, proposed by the government of Anura Kumara Dissanayake, seeks to raise the mandatory retirement age for Supreme Court judges from 65 to 67 and for Court of Appeal judges from 63 to 65. A separate Judicature (Amendment) Bill proposes similar extensions for lower courts.

The government argues these changes are necessary to retain experienced judges and reduce case backlogs. However, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya party warn the move threatens judicial independence and may benefit the incumbent Chief Justice. In response to the proposal, Sajith Premadasa organized a mass protest in Colombo to coincide with the parliamentary debates scheduled for September 24 and 25, 2026.

Parallel to the judicial dispute, the government inaugurated the ViYASA National Business Facilitation Centre in Colombo on September 22 to reduce regulatory barriers for investors. Additionally, the Cabinet approved a contract with China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Company Limited for a USD 40.84 million aviation fuel storage and transport system connecting Muthurajawela to Bandaranaike International Airport.