Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has accused the government of attempting to erode judicial independence by proposing a constitutional amendment that seeks to alter the retirement age of judges.
Addressing the media, the Opposition Leader said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake holds a public mandate exclusively to reform the Executive Presidency through constitutional changes, rather than interfering with the judicial branch or subordinating the courts to executive authority.
He claimed that the administration, which assumed power on the promise of systemic reform and democratic strengthening, is instead adopting measures that threaten to pave the way for authoritarian rule.
Emphasising the constitutional separation of powers among the legislature, executive, and judiciary, Premadasa warned that executive interference in judicial matters poses a severe threat to democratic checks and balances.
He remarked that if the President or the Minister of Justice failed to comprehend these foundational principles, they should consult the works of French political philosopher Montesquieu, specifically 'The Spirit of the Laws'.
He also said that pushing forward with the proposed constitutional amendment despite widespread concern risks undermining public trust in the credibility, integrity, and impartiality of the legal system.
The controversy surrounding the proposed amendment underscores growing national concerns over the preservation of democratic governance and the rule of law in Sri Lanka, as political opposition mounts ahead of upcoming parliamentary discussions on the matter.
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