The Bar Association of Jaffna has urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to reconsider a proposed constitutional amendment to raise the retirement age for Superior Court judges, citing concerns about judicial independence and the need for comprehensive reform.

The Bar Association of Jaffna has formally requested that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake withdraw a government proposal to amend the Constitution and extend the retirement age of Superior Court judges. In a letter dated July 28, the association outlined its position on the contentious issue.

While not fundamentally opposed to increasing judicial retirement ages, the Bar Association raised significant procedural and constitutional concerns. The organisation stressed that any such change should apply uniformly across the entire judiciary, encompassing both superior and lower court judges, rather than targeting a specific segment. The association argued that implementing the amendment separately could create the impression of executive interference or preferential treatment for higher-ranking judges.

The Bar Association expressed worry that pursuing this amendment in isolation could damage public trust in the judicial system and compromise the independence of the courts. The organisation contended that isolated constitutional amendments pursued for specific policy objectives risk eroding respect for constitutional principles and democratic institutions. Instead, the association recommended that retirement age provisions be addressed as part of a comprehensive constitutional overhaul rather than through incremental amendments.

The Bar Association called on the President to shelve the proposal at this stage, advocating instead for such matters to be resolved through broader constitutional reform processes. The position reflects concerns among legal professionals about maintaining the separation of powers and protecting institutional integrity.