We are in trouble if the judges continue to stay - A group from the opposition meets the Mahanayaka Theros

The Most Venerable Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Mahanayake Thero of the Malwathu Chapter confirmed that the Mahanayake Theros have sent a letter to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake regarding the proposed 22nd Constitutional Amendment related to increasing the retirement age of Supreme Court judges. His Holiness made this revelation against the backdrop where the government had previously stated that no such letter had been received by the President.

However, speaking to a group of Joint Opposition representatives at a press conference, His Holiness stated that although the letter was sent, it cannot be definitively confirmed whether it has been received by the President.

As a step in the protest campaign launched by opposition political parties against the constitutional amendment draft that the government is preparing to introduce, a group of Joint Opposition representatives met with the Mahanayake Theros of both the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters and informed them about the proposed amendment. The opposition representatives emphasized that a referendum should be held to ascertain the public's opinion regarding this proposed constitutional amendment.

This delegation included former ministers Professor G. L. Peiris, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Rajitha Senaratne, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, and Samagi Jana Balawegaya Member of Parliament Dayasiri Jayasekara. During the discussion, MP Dayasiri Jayasekara pointed out that the relevant letter had not been received by the media either. In response, the Mahanayake Thero stated that although they had sent the letter, it was not confirmed whether the President had received it. Additionally, this group also met and held discussions with the Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayake Thero of the Asgiri Chapter.

Speaking to the media after the discussion, former Minister Professor G. L. Peiris accused the government of hastily introducing this amendment without consulting any party, including political parties, the legal community, or religious leaders. He stated that the government is attempting to bring the judiciary under the control of the executive, and if this begins, there is no telling where it will stop, warning that this is a process leading to dictatorship.

Furthermore, the Malwathu Mahanayake Thero also met with a group of civil society representatives, and it was stated there that a letter containing their views on this controversial subject has been sent to the President.