Samagi Jana Balawegaya Parliamentarian Ajith Perera urged the Chief Justice to appoint a full eleven-member Supreme Court bench to review any legal challenge against the proposed bill seeking to raise the retirement age of judges.
Addressing Parliament, Perera asserted that the proposed legislative amendment cannot pass with a two-thirds parliamentary majority alone and demands approval through a public referendum.
He stated that constitutional articles concerning judicial independence, specifically articles 107 and 108, require joint interpretation alongside chapter three regarding fundamental rights.
Perera argued that adjustments impacting these provisions necessitate both a two-thirds majority in parliament and public endorsement via referendum.
The lawmaker noted that the bill directly concerns Supreme Court judges and provides them with benefits, making a full bench hearing mandatory if referred for constitutional scrutiny.
The parliamentarian expressed expectation that the Chief Justice will guarantee fairness by assigning all eleven judges to the case instead of a smaller panel of three or five.
Addressing Parliament, Perera asserted that the proposed legislative amendment cannot pass with a two-thirds parliamentary majority alone and demands approval through a public referendum.
He stated that constitutional articles concerning judicial independence, specifically articles 107 and 108, require joint interpretation alongside chapter three regarding fundamental rights.
Perera argued that adjustments impacting these provisions necessitate both a two-thirds majority in parliament and public endorsement via referendum.
The lawmaker noted that the bill directly concerns Supreme Court judges and provides them with benefits, making a full bench hearing mandatory if referred for constitutional scrutiny.
The parliamentarian expressed expectation that the Chief Justice will guarantee fairness by assigning all eleven judges to the case instead of a smaller panel of three or five.
