The 22nd Constitutional Amendment Bill, which proposes raising the retirement age for Supreme Court judges from 65 to 67 and Court of Appeal judges from 63 to 65, has been listed for parliamentary presentation on Tuesday.
The 22nd Constitutional Amendment Bill is set to be presented to Parliament on Tuesday by Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara, following its inclusion in the Parliament Order Book. The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Judicature Act No. 2 of 1978 to extend retirement ages for senior judges in Sri Lanka's highest courts.
Under the amendment, Supreme Court judges would be permitted to work until age 67 instead of the current retirement age of 65, while Court of Appeal judges would extend their service to 65 from 63. According to the government, these changes aim to address court delays and preserve institutional knowledge by keeping experienced judges in their positions longer.
The proposal has attracted considerable attention and disagreement within political and legal communities as the government pursues its parliamentary approval. The Bill will face constitutional scrutiny, as Sri Lankan law permits a 14-day window for parties to petition the Supreme Court challenging any Bill after its parliamentary presentation. The Supreme Court must then deliver its determination within three to 21 days of receiving such a petition.
The constitutional amendment process underscores broader discussions about judicial efficiency and workforce management within Sri Lanka's legal system.
