Sri Lanka Proposes Judicial Reforms Amidst Concerns Over Independence

Kathmandu. Although the Sri Lankan government has proposed extensive judicial reforms with the aim of reducing piled-up cases in courts and speeding up the judicial process, lawyers and opposition parties have protested, saying its main provision could affect judicial independence.

The two bills submitted by the government to parliament on Tuesday propose increasing the number of courts, establishing new appellate courts outside the capital Colombo, extending the retirement age of judges by two years, and appointing more judges and court staff.