No Final Decision on Extending Judges' Retirement Age, Says Cabinet Spokesman ⚖️

• Current Status: The Government clarified that it has not reached a final decision regarding the proposal to increase the retirement age of Sri Lankan judges. The Cabinet of Ministers held only a preliminary discussion on Monday and requested a detailed report with further information from the Justice Ministry. • Key Drivers Behind Proposal: The proposal is being examined to address critical pressures on the judicial system, including: A growing backlog of court cases and delays in administering justice. A severe shortage of judicial officers. Professional migration and increasing life expectancy. • Judicial Capacity Challenges: The Cabinet Spokesman highlighted ongoing difficulties in filling vacancies within the judiciary. For instance, out of a planned recruitment of 50 Magistrates, only 33 candidates could be appointed due to a shortage of suitably qualified applicants. • Next Steps: The government will evaluate varying views from different stakeholders alongside the Justice Ministry's forthcoming report before announcing its final position.