Church of Ceylon expresses concern over judge’s retirement age extension

Deep concern and disappointment emerge regarding the cabinet decision to advance a constitutional amendment that alters the retirement age for appellate court judges. Warning signs indicate that such a legislative shift threatens public confidence and undermines the rule of law within the judicial framework.

Government justifications pointing toward backlog reduction fail to align with the reality of persistent, unexplained vacancies across appellate benches. Criticism targets the administration for pursuing ad hoc reforms instead of fulfilling earlier pledges to address fundamental constitutional overhauls, such as abolishing the executive presidency and strengthening institutional independence. Direct appeals urge the president and cabinet to withdraw the proposed measure while calling on judicial leadership to safeguard institutional integrity.

Commenting on the long-standing advocacy by the Church of Ceylon emphasising the necessity of abolishing the executive presidency, introducing an inclusive electoral system, strengthening independent institutions alongside the Bill of Rights, and addressing minority grievances, it stated that zero action has been taken from the government administration to initiate this vital national process involving public consultation.

Instead, pursuing amendments regarding judicial retirement ages deviates from promises made during election campaigns, the Church added.

Further the statement read:

“The Church of Ceylon believes that ultimately the leadership of the three main organs of government, the executive, legislature and the judiciary, have to examine their consciences to ascertain the real reason for this sudden, ad hoc and ad hominem constitutional amendment. The public is tired of politicians and leaders who champion the importance of independent institutions while in Opposition, and then, once they assume public office, initiate policies that promote executive convenience and self-interest. This politics of opportunism has gone on in this country for so long that an unhealthy cynicism has developed in the body politic of the country.

The Church of Ceylon calls upon the President and the Cabinet of Ministers to withdraw the proposed constitutional amendment, for the legislature to remember that its primary function is to check the executive, and the judiciary and its leadership to be mindful of the damage that this amendment will cause to its reputation and the Rule of Law in the country.”