22nd Constitutional Amendment First Step Towards Authoritarian Rule: Prof. G.L. Peiris

10-Aug-2026

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Former Minister and Professor G.L. Peiris has said that any citizen has the full legal right to challenge in the Supreme Court the 22nd Constitutional Amendment Bill introduced by the Government to increase the retirement age of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges, and that he expects to exercise that right.

Professor G.L. Peiris, along with a group of joint opposition representatives, including Dayasiri Jayasekara, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Ajith Mannapperuma and Rajitha Senaratne, met the Anunayake Theras of the Asgiriya and Malwatte Chapters in Kandy on August 8, 2026. Speaking to the media following the meeting, Professor Peiris made these remarks.

He further said:

“The Government has published this 22nd Constitutional Amendment Bill through a Gazette notification in a secretive manner, without consulting anyone. The Government’s claim that the retirement age of judges is being increased to expedite the disposal of cases is completely untrue. If the Government genuinely wants to reduce delays in court proceedings, what should be done is to increase the number of judges.

“Extending the service of the existing judges by another two years will not resolve this problem. This is the first step towards bringing the judiciary under the Government’s control and establishing an authoritarian system of governance in the country. The next step would be to pave the way for the postponement of elections and the extension of the President’s term of office.

“The argument that the retirement age is being increased to retain the services of experienced professionals is also untenable. If that is the case, why has the Government not sought to extend the services of specialist doctors, university professors and heads of government institutions who retire at the age of 63? The fact that the Government is focusing only on Supreme Court judges while ignoring everyone else indicates that there is a hidden political agenda behind this move.

“Any citizen has the right to approach the Supreme Court within two weeks of the publication of the Gazette notification and challenge the amendment on the grounds that it is inconsistent with the Constitution. We intend to exercise that right and approach the court.

“International legal organisations have also strongly opposed the Government’s move,” he said.