The Judicial Service Association (JSA), which represents the country’s magistrates and district judges, has unanimously adopted a resolution opposing the government’s proposed extension of the retirement age of superior court judges.
The resolution was passed at a special general meeting held at the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court premises, attended by 65 magistrates and district judges from across the country.
The meeting was convened following the resignation of JSA President Pasan Amarasena, who stepped down in protest over the holding of the meeting.
According to the resolution, all members present voted in favour of opposing the proposed extension of the retirement age of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges.
Amarasena resigned after facing criticism for unilaterally expressing support for extending the retirement age of the Chief Justice. Following his resignation, JSA Secretary Suranga Munasinghe issued a statement to members rejecting the allegations contained in Amarasena’s resignation letter.
Meanwhile, former Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne claimed the government’s attempt to extend the tenure of superior court judges was aimed at securing their support in pursuing what he described as a campaign of political revenge against Opposition members.
Addressing a meeting at the Sri Lanka Freedom Party headquarters on Darley Road, Colombo, Senaratne argued that if the government’s justification was to retain experienced judges and avoid vacancies, similar retirement age extensions should also be granted to other professions, including university academics.
“The judges themselves have now unanimously opposed the government’s move, as reflected in the outcome of the Judicial Service Association’s special general meeting at Kaduwela,” he said.