Sri Lanka’s opposition protests against contentious judicial reforms

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Sri Lanka’s main opposition protested judicial reforms aimed at raising the retirement age for judges, which the government argues will reduce legal delays. Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa claims the legislation threatens judicial independence amid a tense political climate.

Sri Lanka’s main opposition took to the streets on Thursday to protest against judicial reforms, including raising the retirement age for judges, that the government says are needed to reduce legal delays. Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa told thousands of supporters outside parliament that the legislation proposed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s left-wing administration would “annihilate” judicial independence. The government unveiled two bills last month to increase the number of...