The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), which opposes the constitutional amendment proposed by the government to extend the retirement age of judges, says it expects to hold further discussions with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on the matter.
Bar Association of Sri Lanka President Rajeev Amarasuriya stated that he had requested Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara to set aside time for the purpose when he met him yesterday. He made this known while addressing a media briefing held after meeting the Justice Minister.
He said that his association’s position is that the relevant constitutional amendment should not be taken forward at this time and that he had explained this to the Minister. He added that he had also handed over a report that was unanimously passed at the special general meeting of his association held yesterday morning to the Justice Minister.
Rajeev Amarasuriya further stated that there is a need to discuss this issue with the President and that the Minister of Justice has agreed to provide an opportunity for that.
The Minister has stated that he will provide his response after studying the Bar Association’s submissions and informing the President and relevant officials about it.
However, the Bar Association clarified that it has not decided to take any protest or trade union action that would disrupt the functioning of the court following this discussion.