Attorney-at-Law Anuradha Kiralavella expressed strong opposition and disappointment regarding the stance of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) management, criticizing its silence in the face of malicious smear campaigns targeting judicial officers under the pretext of opposing the 22nd Constitutional Amendment.
Addressing a press conference organized by Lawyers for National People’s Power (NPP) in Colombo on August 26, Attorney Kiralavella condemned organized political factions for using various media outlets to slander judges and undermine public trust.
Highlighting the practical benefits of the proposed 22nd Amendment, Kiralavella countered claims questioning how the draft legislation would expedite court proceedings:
“There are currently four vacancies in the Supreme Court and four in the Court of Appeal. The amendment proposes increasing the number of Court of Appeal judges by four. Promoting four judges from the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court would create 12 vacancies in the Court of Appeal, which in turn leads to vacancies in the High Courts, District Courts, and Magistrates’ Courts when filled. Extending the retirement age of judges by two years gives the government the necessary two-year buffer to recruit and structure the judiciary effectively without disrupting ongoing trials.”
He added that 33 new judges have already been recruited, and retaining experienced, mature judges ensures both judicial efficiency and higher-quality judgments across all court tiers.
Kiralavella also debunked several false claims circulated by opposition groups:
Hong Kong Chief Justice Precedent: He clarified that claims of a Hong Kong Chief Justice resigning over retirement age extensions were entirely false, as the judge voluntarily retired at age 65.
Inland Revenue Case & Referendum: He noted that the Supreme Court did not order a referendum as a primary ruling in the Inland Revenue case, outlining the three legal mechanisms for a referendum under Article 83, Cabinet decision, or Supreme Court ruling.
Allegations Against the Chief Justice: Addressing personal attacks, Kiralavella confirmed that allegations regarding the Chief Justice’s date of birth are unfounded, noting his extensive public service across the Navy, Attorney General’s Department, High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court. He also refuted rumors concerning the Chief Justice’s children and false claims about purchasing a $500,000 apartment, urging anyone with actual evidence to lodge complaints with the CIABOC, FCID, or Fraud Investigation Bureau.
Kiralavella concluded by praising the Chief Justice’s tenure for expediting pending cases, enhancing judicial discipline, and introducing initiatives to clear long-pending court exhibits, generating significant revenue for the state.
