President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has received a letter from the Chief Prelates of Sri Lanka’s three main Buddhist chapters expressing opposition to the proposed constitutional amendment to extend the retirement age of judges, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said today.
Speaking at the media briefing at the Department of Government Information, Minister Jayatissa confirmed that the President had received the letter.
He said the concerns raised by the Chief Prelates had subsequently been discussed with the government.
“Following the concerns raised in the letter, the Minister of Justice and I met with the Chief Prelates and provided clarification regarding the proposed constitutional amendment,” Jayatissa said.
The proposed amendment, which seeks to change the retirement age applicable to judges, has drawn attention from religious leaders amid wider public discussion over the implications of the proposed constitutional changes.
The government has maintained that the concerns raised by the Chief Prelates were addressed during the meeting, with the relevant ministers providing explanations on the proposed amendment.
