Sri Lanka's Justice Minister has committed to briefing President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on concerns raised by the Bar Association regarding a proposed constitutional amendment to extend judges' retirement ages.
Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara has pledged to present the concerns of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake regarding a proposed constitutional amendment that would extend the retirement age for judges across multiple courts, including the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.
The commitment came following a meeting between the Justice Minister and a BASL delegation led by its President, Rajeev Amarasuriya on Tuesday. The discussion lasted approximately one hour and focused on the contentious proposal. According to Amarasuriya, the Bar Association maintained its position that the constitutional amendment should not proceed at the current time.
The BASL emphasized the importance of ensuring that its reservations about the proposal reach the President's attention. In response, Nanayakkara assured the delegation that he would communicate both the Association's concerns and its formal requests to the President before the government announces its final position on the matter. The Justice Minister's commitment to brief the President suggests the proposal remains under review within government circles.
