Sri Lanka, April 3 -- Former Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris said yesterday that the Government is preparing to extend the retirement age of only Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges by two years, which will be a very detrimental decision to the independence and dignity of the judiciary.

There is a debate regarding its impact on judicial independence and the career progression of younger judges due to this decision.

Professor G. L. Peiris said this at a special media briefing held at the Dr. N. M. Perera Center in Borella yesterday.

He said that the existence of an independent judiciary is an indispensable feature of any democratic society. But the current Government is preparing to take a decision that will be a severe blow to the dig...