Cabinet approves proposal to extend retirement age of judges

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to raise the retirement age of judges, according to government sources.

The proposal was approved at the Cabinet meeting held today (27), sources said.

The government previously indicated it will present a proposal to raise the retirement age of Court of Appeal and Supreme Court judges by two years through a constitutional amendment. Under the current provisions of the Sri Lankan Constitution, the retirement ages of Court of Appeal judges and Supreme Court judges are set at 63 and 65 years, respectively.

The proposed amendment has drawn criticism from several legal groups, with several lawyers’ associations accusing the government of attempting to proceed with the move while vacancies remain in the superior courts.

In statements issued regarding the proposal, the associations said there are currently eight vacancies in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, and alleged that the filling of these vacancies has been delayed for an extended period.