World News
Sri Lankan opposition protests proposed constitutional changes to judiciary
Demonstrators in Colombo demand the withdrawal of a bill increasing the retirement age and expanding seats for senior judges.
The short version
- Hundreds of opposition lawmakers, lawyers, and activists demonstrated in Colombo against a proposed constitutional amendment affecting the judiciary.
- The government bill would add more seats to senior courts and extend the retirement age for top judges by two years.
- Opponents claim the measure threatens judicial independence, while the government maintains it is intended to clear case backlogs.
- Parliament has not yet scheduled a debate date for the amendment, which requires a two-thirds majority to pass.
Key facts
- The administration of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake introduced a constitutional amendment proposing to raise the retirement age of senior judges by two years and increase the number of judges on top courts.[Associated Press]
- Hundreds of protesters, including opposition politicians, union members, lawyers, and rights activists, rallied in Colombo demanding the withdrawal of the legislation.[Associated Press]
- The government dismissed criticisms of judicial interference, stating that the proposed legislation is designed to mitigate court delays.[Associated Press]
- The ruling National People's Power party holds more than the two-thirds parliamentary majority required to approve constitutional amendments.[Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- The date for the parliamentary debate and vote on the constitutional amendment has not yet been determined.[Associated Press]