The Bar Association of Sri Lanka has sought a meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake following discussions with the Justice Minister regarding a proposed constitutional amendment to extend judges' retirement age.
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has escalated its engagement on a contentious constitutional proposal by requesting direct talks with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. This move follows a meeting between BASL leadership and Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara on Wednesday regarding the Government's plans to amend the retirement age rules for judges.
According to BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya, the Association presented its formal opposition to the amendment during the discussion with the Justice Minister. The BASL had unanimously adopted a position on the matter during a Special General Meeting held earlier that day and submitted a detailed report outlining its concerns. The Association's stance references recommendations derived from a comprehensive study undertaken in 2023.
Amarasuriya stated that the Justice Minister agreed to forward the BASL's request for a presidential meeting to relevant officials. The Minister indicated he would review the Association's submissions before providing a formal response and briefing the President and other stakeholders on the matter.
The BASL President expressed cautious optimism that the organization's report would receive serious consideration and lead to further technical discussions on the proposal. He also clarified that the Association had not contemplated any form of court disruptions or protests following the ministerial meeting, addressing potential concerns about potential industrial action by the legal profession.
