Legal action will be taken next week against the government’s proposed constitutional amendment to extend the retirement age of judges, former Minister Professor G. L. Peiris stated.

Former Minister Professor Peiris made the remarks while speaking to media following a meeting held today (12) between representatives of the Joint Opposition and British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Andrew Patrick.

During the meeting, the Joint Opposition representatives briefed the British High Commissioner on the government’s proposal to extend the retirement age of judges.

“We are going to court next week. We will convince the Supreme Court beyond any doubt that this proposed move will not provide any solution whatsoever to the backlog of cases or delays in the administration of justice. Only around 1% of the total number of cases are before the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal,” Professor Peiris said.

 “We met the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick. There has been a long-standing and close relationship between the Sri Lankan judiciary, Great Britain and the Commonwealth. We told him that what is happening in our country today is unbelievable,” he added.

Meanwhile, commenting on the meeting scheduled to be held today between the Bar Association of Sri Lanka and the President, Professor Peiris said there was little purpose in the Bar Association meeting the President at this stage.

“There is no point in the Bar Association meeting the President now. A meeting has been granted only after everything has already been done,” he said.