The Political Chess Game: Ranil, Surasena, and the Battle Over Judicial Retirement
Attorney General Waits for Surasena a Retirement to File Charges Against Ranil
The Attorney General is reportedly delaying the filing of charges against Ranil Wickremesinghe until Chief Justice Priyasath Suraisena retires. According to legal sources, the Attorney General believes that filing charges under the current Chief Justice would place Ranil in an extremely precarious position, as a three-judge bench would need to be requested under Suraisena's jurisdiction.
This calculated delay strategy has become a point of intense political speculation. If Suraisena remains in his position, the Attorney General's "umbrella" strategy for protecting Ranil would face a severe crisis.
Government's Move to Extend Judges' Retirement Age
The government is currently working to extend the retirement age for judges in higher courts, including the Chief Justice. If successful, this would extend Chief Justice Suraisena's tenure by an additional two years.
This development puts the Attorney General's strategy in a difficult position. Even with maximum support from the Attorney General's office, Ranil would face the serious risk of charges being filed against him during Suraisena's extended tenure.
Ranil's Opposition to the Retirement Extension
Recently, Ranil participated in an opposition unity meeting under the banner of "Those on Bail or Suspicion," campaigning against the government's plan to extend judicial retirement ages. The meeting was reportedly called by Sajith Premadasa, but Ranil allegedly pushed him aside and claimed the leadership role.
During the meeting, Ranil read a prepared statement while Sajith sat silently taking notes – the same Sajith who had promised "no deals with bond thieves" on a hundred occasions.
The Stakes: Who Wins If Suraisena Retires?
If Ranil's campaign succeeds and the government's retirement extension plan fails, Chief Justice Suraisena would be forced to retire soon. This would bring significant relief to multiple parties:
· The Attorney General would be pleased, as charges against Ranil could proceed
· Ranil and his supporters would be equally pleased – because the Attorney General's satisfaction directly translates to Ranil's safety
· Politically corrupt figures would also find hope, believing that if Ranil's case moves forward successfully, their own legal troubles might similarly be resolved
The Unintended Consequences
The opposition meeting, which brought together "those on bail or suspicion" – politicians facing potential imprisonment – actually served to strengthen the government's resolve. The gathering effectively injected massive energy into the government's plan to formally pursue the constitutional amendment on judicial retirement ages.
What began as a plan the government itself had doubts about – uncertain whether it would "sink or swim" – became a catalyst for the government to publicly announce its proposal and seek cabinet approval.
A Clear Division Emerges
The lines have been clearly drawn. The opposition to the judicial retirement age amendment has revealed exactly which politically corrupt figures are organizing against it. Their true fears have been exposed for all to see.
The government couldn't have engineered a more valuable propaganda image than the one delivered through this political theater – with Namal's request, Sajith's convening, Ranil's participation, and the presence of extreme political corrupt elements all providing a real-time spectacle.
The Nature of Political Games
Some political games are terrifying, thrilling, and hair-raising. Others are subtle, unnoticeable until the damage is done – like a knife through a wet cloth.
Some political games resemble "crap bombs" that explode in your own hand before you can throw them at your opponent.
This particular game has devolved into a remarkably foolish political maneuver. What started as an attempt to gain advantage has become an own goal – with the stick they picked up voluntarily now being used against them.
The Government's Relief
The government appears to be breathing a sigh of relief so profound that the Nelum Kuluna tower seems to sway and the Port City rocks – believing that for a group like theirs, which is exercising state power for the first time, having this kind of opposition is a great blessing. They can thank their political opponents for inadvertently strengthening their resolve.