BASL Urges President to Fill Judicial Vacancies, Cautions on Retirement Age Changes

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has communicated two significant concerns regarding the nation's judiciary to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the government. The association is urgently requesting the immediate filling of eight judicial vacancies, comprising four in the Supreme Court and four in the Court of Appeal, noting that the courts are currently operating with approximately 25% fewer judges than their full capacity, which strains case disposal. Furthermore, the BASL has expressed serious reservations about a proposed constitutional amendment to increase the retirement age of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges, urging that no action be taken without broad stakeholder consultation. The BASL highlighted that these proposals carry significant implications for judicial independence, the administration of justice, and the rule of law, and noted previous attempts to seek clarification from the Justice Minister and President had gone unanswered.