Sri Lanka Judges’ Retirement Age Row: ITAK Calls For Referendum On 22nd Amendment
Sri Lanka is facing a fresh political and judicial controversy as the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK), the country’s main Tamil political party, demands a national referendum on the proposed 22nd Constitutional Amendment. The controversial amendment seeks to extend the retirement age of judges across Sri Lanka’s higher courts. Under the proposed changes, the retirement age for Supreme Court judges would increase from 65 to 67, while Court of Appeal judges would retire at 65 instead of 63. The bill also proposes a retirement age of 62 for High Court, District Court and Magistrates’ Court judges. ITAK argues that the proposed constitutional amendment directly concerns the sovereignty of the people and should therefore be put to a public vote. The demand has added to a growing debate over judicial independence and the separation of powers in Sri Lanka. The bill has been on the Sri Lankan Parliament’s order paper since August 18 and is expected to move to its second reading after the Supreme Court delivers its decision on petitions challenging the constitutionality of the proposed amendment.
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