On August 7, the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Margaret Satterthwaite, sent a letter to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, explaining the harm caused to the independence of the judiciary by the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution.
In her letter, she explained at length how the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution would adversely affect the independence of the judiciary in Sri Lanka and how it is contrary to international conventions and recognitions of the United Nations.
One of the points that the Special Rapporteur requests at the end of the letter is to provide information on the basis and purpose behind the proposed amendment, including why it is intended to apply the extension of the retirement age not only to future judges but also to currently serving judges.