Sri Lanka, Aug. 13 -- The United Nations has voiced critical concern regarding a proposed constitutional amendment by the Sri Lankan government aimed at extending the retirement age of superior court judges. In an official communication to the President, Margaret Satterthwaite, the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, warned that the proposal threatens judicial independence, the separation of powers, and the fundamental right to a fair trial.

Introduced by the Minister of Justice as an administrative reform, the amendment proposes raising the mandatory retirement limits set under Article 107 of the Constitution-moving the cap from 65 to 67 years for Supreme Court judges, and from 63 to 65 years for Court of Ap...