Mahanayakes oppose move to extend retirement ages of top judges

The Malwathu Chapter's chief prelate, S.K. Samaranayake, expressed opposition to the move to extend the retirement ages of top judges in Sri Lanka, as conveyed by the President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, Rajeev Amarasuriya. The chief prelates of four major Nikayas recently communicated their concerns to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, advocating against the proposed constitutional amendment.

Amarasuriya highlighted during an interview that the Mahanayakes saw the amendment as a threat to democracy, emphasizing that a constitutional amendment should serve the nation's interest, not individual interests, and must undergo consultation with all relevant parties. He stressed the historical significance of the Mahasangha's guidance in past royal administrations and cautioned that ignoring their advice could tarnish the country's reputation.

Other religious leaders and international bar associations also voiced their dissatisfaction with the amendment proposal. The current government's decision comes amid the retirement of six Supreme Court judges, including two Chief Justices, since the government's inception, with no prior discussions on the matter. All 60 serving judges, the Bar Association, and numerous other stakeholders vehemently oppose the proposed extension.

Lawyers eager to join the judicial service, meeting the necessary qualifications, remain on standby; extending the tenure of present judges is deemed unnecessary. Representatives from the Malwathu Chapter, including Ven. Mahawela Rathanapala Thera, Harsha Kularatne, Sunil Weerakoon, and others, attended the meeting.