SJB MP Sujeewa Senasinghe on Wednesday (12) publicly released a letter sent by the Chief Prelates of the three Buddhist Chapters to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, urging the Government not to proceed with the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution to extend the retirement age of superior court judges.
Speaking at a media briefing, Senasinghe said he had obtained a copy of the letter, which had been the subject of political discussion in recent days.
According to the letter, the Chief Prelates noted that the Constitution currently sets the retirement age of Court of Appeal and Supreme Court judges at 63 and 65 years, respectively.
“We believe that it is not appropriate for the Government to act in this manner to increase those age limits,” the letter states, according to the section released by Senasinghe.
Following the letter being sent to the President, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa and Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara met the Chief Prelates to explain the Government’s proposed judicial reforms.
Jayatissa said the ministers met the Chief Prelates of the Asgiriya, Malwathu and Ramanna Chapters together and later held discussions with the Chief Prelate of the Amarapura Chapter.
He said the Government explained that the proposed retirement-age extension was part of a broader judicial reform programme aimed at reducing case backlogs, streamlining court processes and improving efficiency.
The reforms outlined included strengthening institutions within the justice system, filling vacancies, increasing court sittings, establishing new courts, digitalising institutions, amending laws contributing to delays and improving facilities for judges.
Jayatissa said the retirement-age extension was not aimed at any particular individual and would apply across the judiciary, covering around 400 judges from magistrates to Supreme Court judges.
According to Jayatissa, the Chief Prelates listened to the Government’s explanation and indicated their support if the reforms reduced delays and benefited the public.
The letter released by Senasinghe, however, confirms that prior to those discussions, the Chief Prelates had written to the President expressing their view that the proposed increase in the retirement age of superior court judges was not appropriate. (Newswire)
