After initially denying the communication, the Sri Lankan government has now acknowledged receiving a letter from senior Buddhist clergy opposing a proposed constitutional amendment to extend judges' retirement ages.
The government has reversed its earlier stance and confirmed that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake received correspondence from the Mahanayake Theras expressing opposition to a constitutional amendment concerning judicial retirement ages. Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa made the acknowledgment during a post-Cabinet media briefing, according to reporting by The Island.
Jayatissa stated that following the concerns outlined in the letter from the Chief Prelates, he and the Minister of Justice subsequently arranged meetings with the religious leaders. During these discussions, the officials presented details of the proposed constitutional amendment to the Mahanayakes.
The admission comes after the government had previously rejected claims that such a letter had been received. The shift in position was disclosed when journalists pressed Jayatissa for clarification during the Department of Government Information briefing.
