The judges’ retirement age proposal faces opposition from NPP leader Lal Wijenayake, who says party committees never approved the move.
The proposed increase in judges’ retirement age has drawn strong opposition from National People’s Power Executive Council member and attorney Lal Wijenayake.
Speaking at a media briefing, Wijenayake said he opposed the government-backed proposal on principle, despite representing the political movement leading the administration.
He claimed that neither the NPP Executive Committee nor any other party committee had approved a decision to extend the retirement age of judges.
Get Breaking News First
on WhatsApp
“I am a member of the NPP Leadership Council and Executive Committee. Why am I opposing this?” Wijenayake asked.
“Neither the NPP Executive Committee nor any other committee has taken such a decision to extend the judges’ retirement age. When I raised this issue, I was told to keep quiet.”
Wijenayake said he had spent 55 years in the legal profession and 60 years in the leftist movement. He said his political career rested on principles intended to build a civilised society.
Wijenayake Cites Long Fight for Judicial Independence
Wijenayake said this was not his first campaign to protect judicial independence.
“This is not the only fight I have fought for judicial independence. I fought alongside Felix Dias, J.R. Jayawardene, Nihal Jayawickrama and others,” he said.
“The sole purpose was judicial independence for a civilised society. That is why I am fighting again today. This is an arbitrary, uncivilised decision.”
Wijenayake further alleged that he faced pressure to remain silent after questioning the proposal.
“When I inquired about this, the response I received was to shut my mouth,” he said.
He maintained that his opposition reflected the same commitment to judicial independence that guided his actions under previous governments.
Describing the proposed change as arbitrary and uncivilised, Wijenayake said he would continue resisting it in defence of an independent judiciary.
