ROME — The International Association of Judges (IAJ) has issued an official statement from Rome expressing serious concerns over Sri Lanka’s proposed constitutional amendment to extend the retirement age of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges by two years, calling on the government to reconsider the legislation.
The Sri Lankan Cabinet recently approved the constitutional bill, with government ministers arguing that the extension is necessary to clear significant case backlogs. However, the proposal has faced fierce pushback from local legal fraternities, including the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, who denounce the bill as an attempt to manipulate the country’s court system.
In its global statement, the IAJ emphasized that any constitutional changes impacting the judiciary must be handled through a “reasoned, principled, consultative, and robust procedure.” The organization explicitly warned that executing these changes via an “arbitrary and ad hoc announcement” directly threatens judicial independence.
While the IAJ clarified that it does not oppose the general concept of revising retirement ages, it holds deep concerns regarding the timing, manner of introduction, and the widely perceived purpose of the legislation. The body noted a widespread perception that the amendment was custom-designed to benefit specific judicial officers. Even if this was not the government’s actual intent, the IAJ warned that such public perception destroys vital public trust in an independent judiciary.
The global body has formally aligned its stance with domestic protests previously voiced by the Judicial Service Association of Sri Lanka (JSASL) and the international Commonwealth Lawyers Association.
The IAJ concluded its statement by confirming it will continue to closely monitor ongoing developments in the country