Sri Lanka, July 2 -- With reference to Mr. Upali Weerasinghe's letter of 30.06.2025 [DM], I must strongly oppose his suggestion to extend the retirement age of all government employees beyond 60 on the basis of "what is good for the gander is good for the goose", citing the proposed extension for judges.

My seniors' association is totally against this move. Here's why:

1. It blocks promotions for the entire service. If senior officers stay 2 more years, those in line for promotion will be frozen at their current grade and salary point. This creates a promotion traffic jam from the top down, demotivating officers who have waited 25-30 years for their next step.

2. It shuts the door on youth employment. With no vacancies at the entry l...