Surprising Poll Results Over Extension of Higher Judiciary Retirement Age
Following the government’s announcement that it is considering extending the retirement age of Supreme Court and primary court judges in Sri Lanka, a wave of organized, distorted, and malicious statements has been circulated by certain groups.
Against this backdrop, several popular YouTube channels launched online opinion polls to gauge public sentiment on the matter.
These polls were initiated by commentators and journalists, including Bharatha Tennakoon, Tharindu Jayawardhana, and former BBC World Service senior journalist Saroj Pathirana. Among these, the poll conducted by Saroj Pathirana has drawn significant attention. By 5:45 p.m. today (20), an overwhelming 79% of participants voted in favor of extending the retirement age of judges in the higher courts.
Furthermore, 6% of respondents stated that the retirement age of all other government servants should be extended concurrently. Meanwhile, 9% of voters suggested that all existing judicial vacancies must be filled before extending the retirement age of higher court judges. Only 5% expressed the view that the Executive Presidency should be abolished alongside the extension of the judges’ retirement age.
This shift in public opinion comes in the wake of recent institutional pushbacks. On July 4, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) held an emergency general meeting—reportedly with low participation from prospective attorneys—and unanimously passed a resolution opposing the retirement age extension. Similarly, on July 11, the Judicial Service Association (JSA) held a special general meeting, which reportedly lacked a quorum, and passed a similar resolution against the move.
The poll results, showing strong support on a social media platform run by a journalist known for his sharp criticisms of government policy, have caught many political analysts by surprise. The feedback challenges the narrative driven by recent opposing campaigns, including distorted claims regarding the extension of the Chief Justice’s retirement limit.
The link to the relevant opinion poll is provided below:
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