Retirement age extension a move nothing but to please Chief Justice: Dayasiri

• Opposition has Surasena fear psychosis – Minister 
• It is Surasena amendment- Dayasiri

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana

As the government confirmed that an amendment will be introduced to extend the retirement age of judges, one opposition member said it will be made to please the current Chief Justice.  Opposition MP Dayasiri Jayasekara told Parliament that the constitution amendment is aimed at pleasing Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena. “This move is named by many as ‘Surasena amendment’, he said while highlighting that the constitution of the country is to be amended just to please one person,” the MP said. 

He recalled an instance in the past when the constitution was amended for one Rajadhori, which was called the Rajadhori amendment. 

Also, the MP said the President has violated the whole chapter of the constitution on human rights violations. “The claim made by the President that vacancies of upper courts will be filled after filling the vacancies in the lower courts is unacceptable,” he said. 

Referring to the recent clash in Negombo Prison, Mr Jayasekara said the incident worsened as there was no one to issue orders. He said the prison police team which was sent to resolve the clash had gone empty-handed. “They did not have rubber bullets or tear gas with them. 

Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, who responded, said an amendment to extend the retirement age of the judges.

“There is a fear psychosis among those in the opposition. This is called Surasena fear psychosis,” the Minister said. 

The Minister justified the move to extend the retirement age of senior judges, saying such an extension has not been made for a long time.