Railway Station Masters’ Union backs BASL on 22A

The Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Union has thrown its support behind the Bar Association of Sri Lanka’s (BASL) position on the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, pledging to back any lawful and constitutional action taken by the association over the issue.

In a letter to the BASL President, the union said safeguarding judicial independence, the rule of law, separation of powers and the sovereignty of the people was the responsibility of the entire civil society and not merely that of the legal profession.

It said proposed changes to the tenure or retirement age of superior court judges could not be regarded as routine administrative amendments, warning that the manner and timing of such changes could have a bearing on public confidence in judicial independence.

The union stressed that measures aimed at reducing delays and improving the efficiency of the judicial system should be introduced without compromising the judiciary’s institutional independence or public confidence in it.

The issue went beyond the legal profession as it concerned the rights of all citizens and the functioning of democratic governance, the union said.

It pledged its continued support for the BASL’s efforts to safeguard an independent judiciary and uphold the rule of law.