Malwatta Mahanayake Thera Says No Response Received to Letter on Judges’ Retirement Age

Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Mahanayake Thera, the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter of the Siyam Nikaya, has said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has not responded to a letter sent by the Mahanayake Theras regarding the proposed extension of the retirement age of judges.

Speaking at a meeting with representatives of a human rights organisation in Kandy, the Mahanayake Thera said the Maha Sangha had historically advised rulers, both verbally and in writing, on matters of national importance.

He noted that, in previous instances, letters sent to authorities had received at least an acknowledgment of receipt.

“On this matter, we have not received a reply as of now. We have not even been informed whether the letter was received,” he said.

The Mahanayake Thera’s comments come amid an ongoing debate over the government’s proposed constitutional amendment concerning the retirement age of judges.

Meanwhile, Executive Director of the organisation, Subhashana Subbavikrama, said that judges in many countries continue to serve beyond the age of 60.

He argued that, in this context, extending the retirement age of judges in Sri Lanka would not necessarily create a problem.