By Saman Indrajith
Leaders of all Opposition parties are scheduled to meet today (23) at the Opposition Leader’s Office, on Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Colombo, to discuss future action against the proposed extension of the retirement age of superior court judges, which, they describe, as growing threats to judicial independence.
The special meeting has been convened by Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa amid escalating tensions between the government and the Opposition over issues relating to the judiciary.
According to the Opposition Leader’s Office, the meeting is intended to formulate a collective response to, what it termed, a crisis facing the judicial system, alleging that arbitrary actions by the government have posed a serious challenge to the proper functioning and independence of the judiciary.
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, former President Maithripala Sirisena, former Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna National Organiser and MP Namal Rajapaksa, Joint Opposition Convener Prof. G.L. Peiris, and leaders and representatives of all Opposition parties, are expected to attend.
The Opposition Leader’s Office noted that the meeting will mark the first occasion on which Wickremesinghe will visit the Opposition Leader’s Office, since Premadasa assumed office as the Opposition Leader.
The development follows an urgent meeting of Opposition MPs, chaired by Premadasa, at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Parliament yesterday after the government declined to permit a parliamentary debate on matters relating to the judiciary.
Opposition sources said that at the previous Party Leaders’ Meeting, Opposition parties had requested a debate, based on democratic principles, the tripartite system of government, comprising the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary, the separation of powers, and the system of checks and balances. However, the government had not agreed to allocate time for such a discussion.
Opposition MPs argued that issues affecting judicial independence should be openly debated in Parliament and warned that preventing such discussion could undermine democratic governance and accountability.
Addressing the meeting, Premadasa said the refusal to allow a debate on judicial matters was a setback to democratic principles and discussed with MPs the parliamentary and political measures to be pursued in response.
Among those present at yesterday’s meeting were MPs Rohini Wijeratna, Chithral Fernando, V. Radhakrishnan, Chaminda Wijesiri, Gayantha Karunathilaka, J.C. Alawathuwala, Sujith Sanjaya Perera, Kavinda Jayawardana, Chathura Galappaththi, Kabir Hashim, Ravi Karunanayake, M.S.A. Wazeed, Rohana Bandara, W.H.M. Dharmasena, B. Ariyawansa, Dayasiri Jayasekara, Anuradha Jayaratne, Harsha de Silva, Rishad Bathiudeen, Rauff Hakeem, Archchuna Ramanathan, Nizam Kariapper, M.S. Uthumalebbe, Chanaka Madugoda, Suranga Ratnayake and Selvam Adaikkalanathan.
The Opposition meeting today is expected to decide on a coordinated strategy, both inside and outside Parliament, regarding the proposed extension of judges’ retirement age and broader concerns over the independence of the judiciary.
