Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa accused the Government of attempting to undermine judicial independence through a proposed constitutional amendment to change the retirement age of judges, claiming the move could weaken one of the key pillars of democracy.

Speaking on the matter, Premadasa said President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had received a public mandate to reform the Executive Presidency through constitutional amendments, and not to interfere with the Judiciary by altering judges’ retirement age or making courts subordinate to the Executive.

He claimed that the Government, which came to power promising systemic change and stronger democratic institutions, was instead pursuing measures that could pave the way for authoritarian rule through constitutional amendments.

Premadasa alleged that the administration was attempting to weaken the Judiciary, which he described as one of the three fundamental pillars of democracy. He stressed that democracy depends on the separation of powers among the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary, supported by a system of checks and balances.

He added that if the President or the Justice Minister failed to understand this principle, they should refer to The Spirit of Law by French jurist and political philosopher Charles Louis de Secondat, Baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu.

Premadasa further claimed that Executive interference in the Judiciary could threaten democracy and undermine public confidence in the independence, credibility and integrity of the courts.

He added that the Government was proceeding with the proposed constitutional amendment despite concerns raised over its potential impact on judicial independence.