Judges retirement age extension would not harm Sri Lanka, Sarath Fonseka says, arguing experience and fitness matter more than age alone.
Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka has backed the proposed judges retirement age extension, saying an additional two years of service would cause no loss to Sri Lanka.
Speaking to the media, Fonseka drew on his own experience as Army Commander to support his position.
He recalled that when he held the post at the age of 55, the commander of the United States military was around 70 years old.
Fonseka said the US commander remained in very good physical condition despite his age and commanded a military force of approximately three million personnel.
Against that background, he argued that extending the judges retirement age in Sri Lanka by two years should not be considered a serious problem.
Fonseka maintained that the change would not cause any detriment to the country.
He also suggested that some of those expressing concern over the proposal may fear that future judicial decisions could go against them.
According to Fonseka, such concerns amount to personal political anxieties rather than a wider national issue.
Overall, he described the judges retirement age proposal as a positive decision and said Sri Lanka would not suffer by allowing experienced judges to remain in service for another two years.
