Sri Lanka Opposition Protests Judicial Reform Bill, Citing Independence Fears

Hundreds of opposition lawmakers, lawyers, and activists gathered in Colombo on Thursday to protest a proposed constitutional amendment on judicial reform, demanding the government withdraw the legislation. The protesters argue the bill, which would expand the top courts and extend judges' tenure, is an attempt to exert political control over the judiciary.

The demonstration comes nearly two weeks after President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's government submitted the bill to Parliament. The proposed measure would raise the retirement age for the country's top judges by two years and increase the number of judges serving on the highest courts.

Opponents, including opposition lawmakers, trade unions, and rights groups, have voiced concerns that the reform would undermine judicial independence. At the protest outside Colombo's main railroad station, banners read "Don't touch the judiciary" and "Stop reforms that tarnish judicial independence."

Opposition lawmaker Ajith Perera described the proposed amendment as a "draconian" measure that goes against the people's wishes. He alleged the bill was drafted without consulting lawyers, judges, or other stakeholders and was designed to manipulate the judiciary for political gain.

The government has rejected the criticism, maintaining that the reform is intended to reduce court delays and will not hamper judicial independence. A debate on the bill has not yet been scheduled. It would require a two-thirds majority in Parliament, a threshold the ruling National People's Power party currently controls.

Dissanayake's rise to power in 2024 followed widespread public anger over an unprecedented economic crisis in 2022, which was blamed on years of mismanagement and corruption. His administration has since launched fresh investigations into alleged corruption under previous governments, with dozens of former officials now under scrutiny.