The Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, stated that it is the responsibility of everyone to safeguard democracy through the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary—which are the main pillars on which a country’s democracy is founded—as well as through a free and independent media and civil society activism. He said that while the government is currently attempting to increase the retirement age of Court of Appeal judges from 63 to 65 and that of Supreme Court judges from 65 to 67, there are still eight vacancies in these two apex courts because judges have not been appointed. He further said that such sudden constitutional amendments deal a fatal blow to the democratic system, challenge the independence of the judiciary, and raise numerous concerns regarding its credibility.
The Leader of the Opposition made these remarks to the media today after attending the public discussion on extending the retirement age of Supreme Court judges, organised by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka at the Foundation Institute in Colombo.
He said that the Bar Association, the Colombo High Court Lawyers’ Association, the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, and several other associations have pointed out the adverse implications of increasing the retirement age of judges through a constitutional amendment. He added that what the country needs is to strengthen democracy and the independence of the judiciary without undermining public confidence.
“This is a fatal blow to the rule of law.”
He said that this poses a serious challenge to the administration of justice as well as to the protection of the rule of law, and that it is a fatal blow to the judicial system. He appealed to the President not to violate the mandate given to create “A Prosperous Country, A Beautiful Life,” adding that such sudden constitutional amendments destroy the people’s mandate while also undermining the independence of the judiciary.
“What our country needs is democracy, not dictatorship.”
The Opposition Leader said that what the country needs is not dictatorship but the strengthening of democracy. He added that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya is ready to safeguard democracy and protect the independence of the judiciary irrespective of race, religion, caste, class, or political affiliation, and that the party stands firmly against dictatorship.
“This damages the image of the judiciary.”
He said that under the 20th Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka, the number of Court of Appeal judges was increased from 12 to 20 and the number of Supreme Court judges from 11 to 17. He added that if there is a shortage of judges, they are prepared to increase the number of judges, but they do not agree with increasing the retirement age in this manner. While increasing the number of judges would provide greater capacity to the judiciary, increasing the retirement age in this way would damage the image of the judiciary, the Opposition Leader, Sajith Premadasa, said.
