22nd Amendment introduced to protect Government’s survival: Namal
23-Aug-2026.
The Government has introduced the 22nd Amendment to protect its own survival. We too took certain measures of this nature in the past, and were able to understand their consequences only later. Therefore, the Government should at least learn from our experience about the consequences of interfering with judicial proceedings, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna MP Namal Rajapaksa said.
He made these remarks while participating in the parliamentary debate on the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children (Amendment) Bill on August 20.
He further said:
“Today, although strict action is being taken against the employment of children below the age of 16, those above 18 are facing a major problem in finding employment. Factories are being shut down. Paddy produced by farmers is not being purchased. Unemployment is increasing day by day. Hospitals do not have adequate medicines. The Government is paying very little attention to these issues.
“However, the Government is proceeding to increase the retirement age of judges while disregarding all other parties. People in the country are facing numerous problems. Government employees are also facing problems. The Government has set all these issues aside and is taking steps to increase the retirement age of judges in order to protect its own survival. I state this with full responsibility.”
“At the same time, the Government says that only thieves and those facing court cases are opposing the 22nd Amendment. If that is so, are the Mahanayake Theras thieves? The Bar Association, members of the international legal community and lawyers of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna are also opposing it. Are they thieves too? We ask this question.
“The Government has also rejected, without responding, the letter sent by the Mahanayake Theras to the President. For the first time in history, a letter from the Mahanayake Theras has reportedly been rejected in this manner without explanation.
“At the same time, members of the Government have been disregarding court orders. Judges who issue arrest warrants are being transferred. Since several cases against members of the Government are due to be heard, the Government is taking steps to increase the retirement age of judges in order to protect them from those proceedings,” he said.
