World · Sri Lanka Bureau
Catholic Bishops Warn Against Judicial Independence Threats
Sri Lanka's Catholic Bishops' Conference has raised concerns over judicial independence as lawmakers consider extending the retirement age for judges. The church body has called for safeguards to protect the judiciary's autonomy.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Sri Lanka has issued a statement cautioning against measures that could compromise judicial independence, specifically highlighting concerns about proposed legislation to extend judges' retirement age.
The intervention comes as Parliament considers amendments that would alter the mandatory retirement provisions for members of the judiciary. Church leaders have expressed concern that such structural changes could be exploited to influence judicial decision-making or undermine the courts' impartiality.
The bishops emphasized the critical role an independent judiciary plays in upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens' rights. They called on policymakers to ensure any legislative modifications are implemented with robust constitutional safeguards in place.
The statement reflects broader concerns among civil society organizations about maintaining institutional checks and balances within Sri Lanka's governance framework. The bishops urged transparent parliamentary debate and public consultation before any significant changes to the judicial system are finalized.
The proposed retirement age extension remains under discussion in Parliament, with various stakeholders continuing to assess its implications for judicial autonomy and constitutional governance.