Extending judges' retirement age will erode public confidence, says Colombo Law Society

06-Jul-2026

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The Colombo Law Society has urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake not to proceed with any constitutional amendment to extend the retirement age of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges, warning that such a move could undermine public confidence in the independence of the judiciary.

In a letter sent to the President, the Society expressed support for the position already taken by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka. It acknowledged the valuable contribution of senior judges but stressed that any change to the constitutionally prescribed retirement age should only be made after broad consultation with all stakeholders.

The Society noted that the retirement age has remained unchanged since the 1978 Constitution and cautioned that altering it in a manner affecting serving judges could weaken public trust in the judiciary's independence and impartiality.