Sri Lanka Adopts Controversial 22nd Amendment Raising Retirement Age for Supreme Court Judges

The Hindu•Published: Sep 25, 2026 10:53 PM IST

The Sri Lankan Parliament has passed the controversial 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, which increases the retirement age for senior judges despite significant opposition. The legislation was approved with a two-thirds majority of 158 votes to 63 following a heated two-day parliamentary debate.

Retirement Age Adjustments: The amendment extends the retirement age for Supreme Court judges from 65 to 67 and for Court of Appeal judges from 63 to 65.
Government Justification: Senior Minister Bimal Ratnayake stated the reform aims to address a massive backlog of approximately 1.1 million pending cases in the judicial system.
Opposition Resistance: Led by Sajith Premadasa, the opposition party SJB protested the move in black attire, arguing the change threatens judicial independence and democratic integrity.
Legal Challenges: The Bar Association of Sri Lanka and various opposition figures argued the amendment infringes on national sovereignty, suggesting it required a nationwide referendum for approval.

The Context & Background

This legislative move follows months of public and professional outcry regarding the potential for government overreach within the judiciary. Critics maintain that extending the tenure of judges without broader systemic reforms could compromise the impartiality of the courts, while the government insists the change is a necessary administrative step to improve judicial efficiency.

Why it matters:This amendment marks a significant shift in Sri Lanka's judicial landscape, sparking a national debate over the balance between administrative efficiency and institutional independence. The move carries long-term implications for the country's democratic stability and the public's trust in the judiciary's ability to remain free from political influence.

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