No referendum needed to extend judges’ retirement age, Cabinet spokesman says

The Government does not need to hold a referendum to extend the retirement age of judges, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said on Tuesday.

Addressing the weekly Cabinet media briefing at the Department of Government Information, Jayatissa said the Constitution did not require a referendum for the proposed change.

He was responding to questions about the Government’s plan to raise the mandatory retirement age of judges.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet has approved a proposal to draft amendments to the Constitution and the Judicature Act No. 2 of 1978 to improve the efficiency and administration of Sri Lanka’s judicial system.

The proposal, submitted by the Minister of Justice and National Integration, calls for an increase in the number of Court of Appeal and High Court judges to address growing caseloads and reduce delays.

The Government said additional Court of Appeal judges were needed to allow the court to exercise its jurisdiction regionally under Article 146 of the Constitution.

It also proposed appointing more High Court judges to expedite cases before provincial High Courts exercising original criminal jurisdiction and Civil Appellate High Courts.

The reforms would also increase the mandatory retirement age of judges, allowing experienced members of the judiciary to continue serving as the number of courts expands and the Court of Appeal begins operating regionally.

The Government said the changes were intended to strengthen judicial independence and make court proceedings more efficient.

The Cabinet instructed the Legal Draftsman to prepare the necessary amendments to the Constitution and the Judicature Act.