BASL-President talks end in deadlock over judges’ retirement age

Talks between the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Wednesday (12) ended without agreement on the Government’s controversial proposal to extend the retirement age of superior court judges.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting at the Presidential Secretariat, BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya said the Association had presented in detail the legal community’s concerns over the proposed constitutional amendment.

The BASL delegation included President’s Counsel, former BASL presidents, academics and other legal experts, including Prof. Savitri Goonesekere and Lal Wijenayake.

Amarasuriya said the President had also explained his position during what he described as a “good and frank discussion”, but the two sides had not reached any agreement.

The BASL had requested that any constitutional change affecting the retirement age of judges be considered only after broad consultation with the legal profession, academics, researchers and other experts who had studied the issue, he said.

He stressed that the BASL’s opposition was not directed at any individual and should not be interpreted as a confrontation with the Government.

“This is not a fight against anyone,” Amarasuriya said, adding that both sides had put forward their respective positions during the meeting.

The BASL President nevertheless expressed hope that the discussions would lead to wider consultations and that the Government would reconsider the proposed amendment before reaching a final decision.

He also said the BASL did not support personal attacks or criticism directed at judges amid the controversy.

While acknowledging that the Government had the constitutional authority to propose amendments, Amarasuriya said the BASL was equally entitled to oppose a move it believed was detrimental to the judiciary.

He said the Association expected President Dissanayake, who had advocated the rule of law and judicial independence, to carefully consider its concerns.

“I hope that after today’s discussion, this will move in a positive direction,” he said.