Sri Lanka, July 31 -- Senior lawyer Lal Wijenayake, a member of the Leadership Council, Executive Committee and National Operation Committee of the ruling National People's Power (NPP), said yesterday that Agriculture Minister K.D. Lalkantha asked him to remain silent over the government's move to extend the retirement age of superior court judges.

Mr. Wijenayake said he could not remain silent on the issue since he had been fighting for judicial independence for over five decades.

"One member gave me a call one day - a member of the Leadership Council, the Political Bureau and other bodies. He simply said, 'Why don't you keep silent on this matter?'" he said in an interview with the Daily Mirror.

He identified the person as Lalkantha ...