Government MP Nilanthi Kottahachchi called for an investigation into what she described as threatening remarks directed at the Inspector General of Police (IGP), while defending the Government's proposed judicial reforms during a speech in Parliament.
Referring to recent comments allegedly made by the General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Kottahachchi said statements warning the IGP against becoming "an IGP beaten to death by the public" were unacceptable and should be investigated. She said the Government, which is committed to upholding the rule of law and democratic freedoms, strongly condemned any attempt to intimidate the leadership of the Police.
Addressing the Minister of Public Security, the MP questioned whether the Ministry would remain silent on the remarks and urged authorities to initiate legal action if warranted. She said efforts were being made to restore public confidence in the Police through professional and impartial law enforcement, and warned that statements aimed at undermining the institution should not be tolerated.
Kottahachchi also defended the Government's proposed constitutional amendments to revise the retirement age of judges, rejecting claims that the reforms were intended to benefit a particular individual. She said the proposed changes would raise the retirement age to 67 for Supreme Court judges, 65 for Court of Appeal judges and 63 for High Court judges, while extending the retirement age of judges in the district and primary courts by two years.
She said the reforms were intended to address delays in the judicial process by retaining experienced judges in service and improving the efficiency of the courts.
The MP argued that allowing experienced judges to continue serving the judiciary would better serve the public than allowing them to retire and take up positions in the private sector. She also noted that a parliamentary subcommittee had recommended increasing the retirement age of judges to 65 as far back as 2016.
