No decision to extend retirement age of judges: Minister

Colombo, June 10 (Daily Mirror) - Amidst controversy over reports of the extension of retirement age of judges, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday that the government has not taken any decision, claiming that there has been no discussion on the matter within the government.

He told the weekly briefing to announce Cabinet decisions that various professional groups have made proposals on extending the retirement age.

The Minister said proposals have been made based on factors such as life expectancy at birth, brain drain and utilizing experience of the professionals.

Responding to a question, the minister said the government extended retirement age of specialist doctors from 60 to 63 considering various factors.

The Colombo High Court Lawyers’ Association recently urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to abandon a reported proposal to increase the retirement age of judges of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, warning that such a move could undermine judicial independence, disrupt career progression within the Judicial service and erode public confidence in the judiciary.