Sri Lanka’s 22nd Constitutional Amendment Bill was passed by a special majority in Parliament on September 25.

At the second reading, 158 members of Parliament voted in favour and 63 voted against. After amendments at the committee stage, the third reading also passed by 158 votes to 63.

A key provision of the constitutional amendment raises the retirement age of Supreme Court judges from 65 to 67 and that of Court of Appeal judges from 63 to 65.

The government says approximately 1.1 million cases are pending in Sri Lanka’s courts. It explains that retaining experienced judges for another two years and improving the judiciary’s efficiency form part of wider judicial reforms.

Opposition parties and some in the legal profession have objected, saying that the extension of judges’ tenure raises questions about judicial independence.

Alongside the 22nd Constitutional Amendment, Parliament also passed an amendment to the Judicature Act concerning changes to the lower courts.