A United Nations Special Rapporteur has warned that Sri Lanka's proposed constitutional amendment to extend the retirement age of superior court judges could compromise judicial independence and public trust in the judiciary.
Margaret Satterthwaite, the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, has formally communicated concerns to Sri Lanka's President regarding a proposed constitutional amendment that would alter the retirement age for senior judges. The official communication raises questions about whether the measure, as currently framed, could weaken the judiciary's autonomy and erode public confidence in the courts.
Satterthwaite's statement emphasizes that the amendment could potentially interfere with the tenure of sitting judges, creating pathways for executive and legislative influence over the bench. Such intervention, the rapporteur suggests, runs counter to principles of judicial independence that are essential to functional democratic institutions.
The UN mandate holder has urged the Sri Lankan government to pursue any judicial reforms through a transparent, inclusive process that involves broad consultation with stakeholders. Satterthwaite specifically called for the implementation of robust safeguards designed to insulate the judiciary from political pressure during any legislative or constitutional overhaul of retirement provisions.
