MR finishing JR’s relay, Bodu Bala Sena at Temple Trees, and fire-walking over the Jaffna Public Library

Rajan Philips
The government is reportedly preparing a new amendment (19A) to the Constitution to confer legal power to Standing Orders and limit the term of office of Chief Justice to three years. After removing the term limit on the presidency which is fundamental to constitutional democracy through 18A, the government seems now set to enact 19A to limit the tenure of the Chief Justice which is fundamental to judicial independence. The new amendment will also put to rest the Supreme Court’s recent determination that laws and Standing Orders are not the same in exercising judicial power.