Key facts
- Sri Lanka's cabinet approved a constitutional amendment.
- The amendment extends the tenure of superior court judges by two years.
- The goal is to improve case efficiency and reduce case backlog.
- Over 1 million cases are pending in Sri Lanka.
- Opposition groups have raised concerns about judicial independence.
- The amendment will be presented to parliament for approval.
Sri Lanka's cabinet has given its approval for a constitutional amendment that will extend the tenure of superior court judges by two years. This significant move is intended to tackle the country's substantial backlog of over 1 million pending cases and enhance the overall efficiency of the judicial system. The proposed amendment seeks to retain experienced judges for longer periods, thereby leveraging their expertise to expedite the resolution of cases.
Despite the government's stated objectives of improving case efficiency, opposition parties and legal analysts have raised concerns about the potential implications for judicial independence. Critics argue that extending tenure could create opportunities for political influence over the judiciary, potentially compromising its impartiality. The amendment is now slated to be presented to the Sri Lankan parliament for further deliberation and approval, where it is expected to face scrutiny from various political factions.