News
United Opposition moves to halt interference with judicial independence
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.
More than 108,000 complaints of child abuse had been received by the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) between 2015 and 2025, Women and Child Affairs Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj told Parliament yesterday.
Responding to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa under Standing Order 27/2, the Minister said 4,421 child abuse cases were pending before High Courts as of April 30 this year, with indictments already filed against the accused.
She said the NCPA was working with 47 Police Child and Women Protection Bureaus under the Police Children and Women Abuse Prevention Division to expedite the hearing and conclusion of these cases.
The Minister said measures were also being taken to protect child victims during legal proceedings by introducing a system to record their evidence through video in a safe and child-friendly environment, thereby reducing the need for them to appear in court.
She said discussions were underway with the Ministries of Health and Mass Media and other relevant institutions to establish nine provincial video evidence recording units.
by Saman Indrajith ✍️
The Court of Appeal yesterday dismissed a writ petition seeking to postpone the 2026 G.C.E. A/L Examination by two months.
The petition, filed by a group of students due to sit the examination for the first and second time, sought an order delaying the examination, which is scheduled to commence next month.
The Court announced its decision after considering submissions made in support of the application and declined to grant leave to proceed with the petition.
As a result, the 2026 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination will be held as scheduled in August.
Leader of the House and Minister Bimal Rathnayake yesterday criticised the conduct of MP Archchuna Ramanathan in Parliament, describing the behaviour of certain lawmakers as “uncivilised, disgraceful and indecent”, while a heated exchange followed between government and opposition members.
Rathnayake made the remarks when Ramanathan attempted to raise a point of order during parliamentary proceedings.
“This parliament has one or two members who behave in a very uncivilised, disgraceful manner. We tolerate them because one of them is mentally ill,” Rathnayake said.
He alleged that Ramanathan had insulted even members of the Tamil community.
“The things he says may not be heard through the microphone, but the four walls of this Parliament are witnesses,” Rathnayake said, adding that Ramanathan’s conduct was not limited to Parliament.
He claimed that the Jaffna District Coordinating Committee meeting could not be held due to Ramanathan’s behaviour and said MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam had written to the Speaker stating that he could not sit near him.
The Speaker intervened during the exchange, warning Ramanathan not to behave in a manner that would turn Parliament into “a joke”. He also said the MP had previously addressed him in an insulting manner.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa criticised the manner in which Rathnayake and the Speaker had addressed the matter, saying MPs should not be spoken to improperly and urging members to follow parliamentary Standing Orders.
Ramanathan, responding to the remarks, said: “I may be a psycho, but I am not a homosexual.”
by Saman Indrajith ✍️
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