Catholic Bishops urge consultation before raising judges’ retirement age
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka (CBCSL) has urged the government to conduct adequate public and stakeholder consultation before proceeding with any constitutional amendment to increase the statutory retirement age of judges. In a statement on the Cabinet decision published on July 27, the CBCSL has expressed concern over the proposed increase. Full text […]
On July 27, 2026, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka (CBCSL) delivered a statement expressing concern over the government's decision to increase the retirement age of judges. The CBCSL's President, Rt. Rev. Dr. Harold Anthony Perera, and Secretary General, Rt. Rev. Dr. P. Anton Ranjith, signed the statement. The CBCSL argues that the proposed increase would enable the courts to utilize experienced and knowledgeable judges due to the growing number of courts and the regional operation of the courts of appeal.
They emphasize the importance of maintaining the independence of the judiciary, the rule of law, and the separation of powers. The CBCSL reminds that the social doctrine of the Church stresses the necessity of preserving the independence of the judicial power to ensure the exercise of its responsibilities. They believe that a constitutional amendment increasing the retirement age should be aimed at strengthening the judiciary's independence, addressing the shortage of judicial officers, and reducing case delays.
Consequently, the CBCSL urges the government to conduct thorough public and stakeholder consultation before implementing any such constitutional amendment.
Written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
