🏛️ Proposal to Extend Sri Lankan Judges' Retirement Age Sparks Debate

• Proposed Policy Shift: The NPP administration is considering a constitutional amendment to extend the retirement age of judges across all court levels—including magistrate, district, high court, and superior court judges—by 2 years. Current constitutional limits stand at 65 for Supreme Court judges, 63 for Appeal Court, and 61 for High Court. • Key Arguments & Rationale: Proponents cite severe judge shortages, long court delays, and rapid population aging as reasons to retain experienced judicial officers. However, extending tenure could prompt similar demands across public administration, healthcare, and academia. • Opposition & Legal Sector Reaction: The move faces strong pushback from the Judicial Service Association (JSA), Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association. BASL emphasizes that the 20th Amendment previously expanded judicial capacity—increasing Appeal Court judges from 12 to 20 and Supreme Court judges from 11 to 17—negating practical needs for tenure extension. • Governance & Institutional Risk: Critics argue that ad hoc constitutional changes risk compromising judiciary independence and public trust. Observers note the amendment would extend the tenure of Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena beyond his scheduled December retirement, raising concerns over executive influence and potential international scrutiny. [Sri Lanka judicial retirement age reform coverage](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89KN5RSzlgs) This video offers essential news reporting and analysis regarding the proposed constitutional changes affecting judicial tenure in Sri Lanka.