Judges’ retirement age plans have divided the NPP, while lawyers and judicial officers oppose the government’s proposed extension.
The proposed extension of judges’ retirement age has triggered a significant disagreement within the National People’s Power, according to a report published by Lankadeepa yesterday (30).
Citing reliable sources, the newspaper reported that several senior NPP members had strongly criticised the government’s decision to extend the retirement age of judges.
NPP executive committee member and senior attorney-at-law Lal Wijenaike has directly opposed the proposal.
Wijenaike said neither the NPP leadership board nor its executive committee had formally approved an extension to the judges’ retirement age. He suggested that the plan could instead represent a personal proposal advanced by certain individuals.
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He also claimed that party figures had instructed him to remain silent after he expressed his opposition to the decision.
However, NPP Secretary and Parliamentarian Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe rejected that account when Lankadeepa questioned him about the controversy.
Abeysinghe said a majority within the party supported the proposal to extend the retirement age of senior judges.
He acknowledged that many party members disagreed with Wijenaike’s position. However, he insisted that no one had prevented Wijenaike from expressing his views or instructed him to remain silent.
The disagreement within the governing party comes amid growing opposition from legal and judicial organisations.
Both the Bar Association of Sri Lanka and the Judicial Services Association have strongly opposed the proposed extension. The Judicial Services Association represents the country’s Magistrates and District Judges.
Reports also indicate that the Bar Association recently decided to take the maximum possible action against the government’s decision on judges’ retirement age.
Representatives of the Bar Association later held a special discussion with Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara, who is also an attorney-at-law.
During the meeting, the association presented its concerns and requests regarding the proposal. The Minister reportedly promised to take steps to inform the President about the issues raised by the Bar Association.
The dispute now places the government under pressure from both within the NPP and across Sri Lanka’s legal community.
