By Ceylon Signal 
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has formally urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake not to proceed with the proposed constitutional amendment to extend the retirement age of judges, warning that the move poses a serious threat to judicial independence and lacks any demonstrated urgency.
A 20‑member BASL delegation met the President, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara, and Presidential Legal Advisor J.M. Wijebandara on Wednesday afternoon. According to the briefing, the Ministry of Justice had earlier informed BASL that the number of seats available for the meeting was limited, forcing the association to curtail its delegation.
BASL Outlines Strong Objections
During the meeting, BASL representatives explained their opposition to the amendment, stressing that altering judicial tenure risks undermining the separation of powers and public confidence in the courts. The document states:
“The BASL emphasized that the proposed amendment would have a serious impact on the independence of the Judiciary…”
Senior legal academic Prof. Savithri Goonasekera was invited by BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya to articulate the conceptual basis of judicial independence. She highlighted the distinction between extending tenure in the public sector and extending the tenure of judges, who form a core pillar of democratic governance.
Government Asked to Halt Amendment
The BASL insisted that the Government should not treat the amendment as a priority, noting that several other urgent reforms require attention. The briefing adds:
“…the Government should not proceed with the proposed amendment at this stage.”
Former BASL Presidents Geoffrey Alagaratnam, PC, and Upul Jayasuriya also voiced concerns, aligning with the association’s position.
Call for a Wider Consultative Process
The delegation proposed that the Government initiate a “proper and meaningful consultative process” involving judges, academics, and the legal profession before making any decision. One option suggested was referring the matter to a Parliamentary Select Committee.
President Dissanayake, in response, explained the Government’s rationale for considering the amendment, though details of his position were not elaborated in the briefing.