The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Margaret Satterthwaite, has issued an official communication to the President of Sri Lanka raising concerns over Sri Lanka’s proposed constitutional amendment to increase the retirement age of superior court judges.
The UN mandate holder warns that the move, if implemented in its reported form, could undermine judicial independence and public confidence in the judiciary.
Issuing a statement, Satterthwaite said the proposed amendment could affect the tenure of sitting judges and may raise concerns over executive and legislative interference.
She urged the Sri Lankan government to pursue any changes to judicial retirement age through a transparent, inclusive and consultative justice reform process, with appropriate safeguards to protect judicial independence.
See the full statement below…
