Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa's attempt to arrange a Bar Association of Sri Lanka presentation to Parliament on concerns about a proposed judicial retirement age extension was blocked after party leaders withheld approval and the Bar Association objected to being scheduled without consultation.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa sought to bring the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) before Parliament to present concerns about a government proposal to extend the retirement age of judges. In a letter dated August 2 to the Speaker, Premadasa invited the association to address all MPs on August 5, arguing that the proposed constitutional amendment raised serious questions about judicial independence, separation of powers, and the rule of law.
Premadasa stated that lawmakers should hear directly from the legal profession before Parliament deliberated on the legislation. However, the briefing did not occur as scheduled. According to reports, the primary obstacle was the failure to secure approval from party leaders during their parliamentary caucus meeting.
The Bar Association subsequently sent its own letter to Premadasa, raising procedural objections to the arrangement. The association noted it had not been consulted about the date and time, and had not agreed to participate. The BASL emphasized that as an independent, non-partisan professional body, any presentation to Parliament should involve all political parties from both government and opposition benches, with broad representation from lawmakers across the chamber.
The incident underscores tensions surrounding the judicial reform proposal, with the legal profession seeking to maintain independence from political choreography while lawmakers debate the constitutional amendment's implications.
