Sri Lanka's Chief Prelates of the four Buddhist Chapters have written to the President opposing a constitutional amendment that would extend the retirement age of judges, citing unsuitability of the proposal.
The Chief Prelates of Sri Lanka's four Buddhist Chapters have formally communicated their opposition to a proposed constitutional amendment seeking to extend the retirement age of judges. According to the Malwathu Chapter's Chief Prelate, the religious leaders have written directly to the President expressing concerns that the measure is inappropriate.
The proposal has also drawn criticism from political opposition figures. Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has characterized the government's move as an attempt to consolidate power through a one-party system, arguing that extending judicial retirement ages serves this political objective. This opposition perspective frames the amendment as part of a broader governance concern rather than a technical judicial matter.
The Cabinet has already approved the contentious proposal, indicating the government's intention to proceed with the amendment despite the emerging resistance. The involvement of Sri Lanka's respected religious leadership in formally opposing the measure adds significant weight to the criticism, as the Buddhist establishment traditionally plays an influential role in national discourse.
The dispute reflects broader tensions in Sri Lanka regarding judicial independence and institutional reform. The competing positions—the government's administrative rationale for extending retirement ages and the religious and political opposition's concerns about concentration of power—represent a significant ongoing debate about the country's democratic governance structures.
