President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has said the proposed extension of judges’ retirement ages is only one component of a much broader programme to strengthen Sri Lanka’s justice sector, setting out plans covering investigations, prosecutions and court capacity.
Addressing representatives of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka at the Presidential Secretariat, the President said meaningful reform requires strengthening every institution connected to law enforcement, investigation and prosecution — not the judiciary alone.
Anti-corruption commission to expand
Dissanayake said he expects the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption to establish 24 branch offices across the country, taking its services to district level.
“Approval has already been granted to recruit 373 officers for that purpose,” he said. He added that he had obtained approval from the Management Services authorities to place these investigators on a salary scale higher than the ordinary public service, “because the investigative function of the Commission must be strengthened.”
Police shortfall of 30,000
The President pointed to severe manpower shortages in Sri Lanka Police. The approved cadre is around 102,000, he said, but only about 72,000 officers are currently serving — and nearly 4,000 of those are not on uniformed duties for medical reasons.
“In reality, around 68,000 officers are carrying out the work of a force that should number 102,000,” he said.
He described police officers as among the most overburdened groups in the public sector. “Last year alone, around 1,100 police officers died while in service. Many of them work 18 to 20 hours a day.”
The government has decided to recruit an additional 10,000 officers in response, alongside modernisation of uniforms and the provision of advanced technological equipment.
Attorney General’s Department losing senior staff
Dissanayake said experienced legal officers are leaving the Attorney General’s Department, and that approval has been received to recruit a further 50 officers.
He said weaknesses in the promotion process are also under review. Allowances paid to legal officers involved in corporate litigation should be increased, he said: “Without providing competitive remuneration, it will be difficult to attract and retain high-quality legal officers within the Attorney General’s Department.”
Courts and the retirement age question
Asked whether extending judges’ retirement ages would genuinely speed up court proceedings, the President said the proposal must be weighed alongside a wider strategy to increase judicial capacity. Plans include raising the number of Court of Appeal and High Court judges, providing infrastructure for the Court of Appeal to sit regionally, and improving court facilities.
He also said the administration of justice does not rest with the judiciary alone but is an integrated process spanning investigation, prosecution and adjudication, and that the Government Analyst’s Department would be strengthened alongside the police and CIABOC.
Dissanayake stressed the amendment was not framed with any individual or group in mind, but in the broader public interest. He has separately said unfilled superior court vacancies are tied to the Easter Sunday attacks trial, promising appointments within about a month.
”I am a person who is ready to leave”
Dissanayake told the delegation that meaningful political and constitutional change requires taking risks, and that he was prepared to face the consequences of pursuing reform — including leaving office.
“I am a person who is ready to leave. I did not come here intending to remain seated,” he said, as reported by Daily Mirror.
He cited the ongoing investigation into the Easter Sunday attacks as an example of that willingness, noting the inquiry involves intelligence agencies that are also responsible for his own security, and saying this would not deter him from pursuing the truth. The President also assured the delegation he had no intention of exceeding his executive powers, and that state power would be exercised within the existing constitutional framework.
BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya attended alongside former presidents of the Association, senior academics and President’s Counsel. They argued the proposed amendment could undermine judicial independence, and called on the President to halt the process and hold wider consultations with legal experts first.
The meeting ended without an agreement, with the Bar Association maintaining its objections. It has since said it will use every available legal avenue to oppose the retirement age plan.
