The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, which proposes to increase the retirement age of judges, and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill were tabled in Parliament today (18) by Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara.
The proposed constitutional amendment seeks to increase the retirement age of Supreme Court judges from 65 to 67 years and Court of Appeal judges from 63 to 65 years.
Meanwhile, the Judicature (Amendment) Bill proposes changes to the retirement age of judges serving in the lower courts.
The Government has said the proposed changes are intended to address shortages of judicial officers and strengthen the judicial system.
The bills can be challenged before the Supreme Court within 14 days of being presented to Parliament. (Newswire)