Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has accused the Government of attempting to undermine the independence of the judiciary through a proposed constitutional amendment to change the retirement age of judges.
Speaking on the issue, Premadasa said the public had given President Anura Kumara Dissanayake a mandate to reform the Executive Presidency through constitutional amendments, not to interfere with the judiciary by altering the retirement age of judges or making the courts subordinate to the executive.
He further alleged that the current administration, which came to power promising systemic change and stronger democratic governance, is instead pursuing constitutional reforms that could pave the way for authoritarian rule.
Premadasa claimed that the Government is attempting to weaken one of the three fundamental pillars of democracy—the judiciary.
He stressed that democracy is founded on the separation of powers among the legislature, the executive and the judiciary, with each institution serving as a check and balance on the others.
The Opposition Leader added that if the President or the Minister of Justice failed to understand this principle, they should refer to The Spirit of the Laws by French political philosopher Montesquieu.
Premadasa further argued that executive interference in the judiciary could undermine public confidence in the independence, credibility and integrity of the courts, alleging that the Government is proceeding with the proposed constitutional amendment despite these concerns.
