Opposition gathers in Colombo to block judicial amendment expanding judges' terms

Opposition lawmakers, trade unions and rights groups assembled at Colombo’s central railway hub on Thursday to demand that the government scrap a constitutional amendment on judicial reform. The bill, introduced by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration, would increase the retirement age for the country’s senior judges by two years and expand the number of judges on the top courts. Protesters carried placards reading “Don’t touch the judiciary” and accused the government of trying to control the courts for political ends.

Opposition MP Ajith Perera described the proposal as a “draconian” move made without consulting legal professionals. The ruling National People’s Power party controls more than two-thirds of Parliament, the threshold needed to approve the amendment, but a debate has not yet been scheduled. The government maintains the reform is intended to cut court delays and will not undermine judicial independence.