Sri Lanka's Parliament begins debate on controversial bill on judges' retirement age
Sri Lanka's Parliament began debating a bill to raise the retirement age of Supreme Court judges from 65 to 67 and to expand the appellate court bench. The opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya staged a protest outside the parliamentary complex during the session.
- ✓Sri Lanka's Parliament began debating a bill to raise the retirement age of Supreme Court judges from 65 to 67 and to expand the appellate court bench.
- ✓The opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya staged a protest outside the parliamentary complex during the session.
- ✓Civic Domain: Categorized under world public notices.
Parliamentarians in Colombo convened to consider a government‑proposed amendment that would increase the retirement age for Supreme Court judges to 67 years, up from the current 65. The same legislation also seeks to enlarge the number of judges in the appellate court from 20 to 25, a move presented as a step toward strengthening the higher judiciary.
The proposal outlines specific numerical changes: a two‑year extension of judges’ service limits and the addition of five new appellate judgeships. Lawmakers debated the bill within the historic Parliament building, while members of the main opposition party, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), gathered near the entrance to voice their dissent.
Critics argue that altering retirement norms could affect the balance of judicial independence and delay the infusion of fresh legal talent, raising concerns among legal professionals and civil‑society groups. Supporters contend that the changes will address workload pressures and ensure continuity in the courts, a debate that reflects broader tensions over governance reforms in Sri Lanka.
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| Issuing Authority | The Hindu World & Diplomacy |
|---|---|
| Topic Category | WORLD |
| Jurisdiction | All India / National |
| Publication Date | 24 September 2026 |