BASL Urges President Against Raising Judges' Retirement Age Amid Independence Concerns

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing grave concern over reports that the government is considering a constitutional amendment to increase the retirement age for judges. The BASL specifically addressed the retirement ages for judges of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, stating that the current ages of 63 and 65 respectively, in place since the 1978 Constitution, should not be changed arbitrarily. The association warned that such a move could be perceived by the public as an attempt to influence judicial independence and could erode confidence in the legal system's integrity.