BASL Declines Opposition Leader’s Request to Brief MPs on 22nd Amendment

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has decided not to participate in a programme requested by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa to brief Members of Parliament on the proposed 22nd Constitutional Amendment, including provisions concerning the retirement age of judges.

BASL President President’s Counsel Rajeev Amarasuriya confirmed the decision.

BASL Requests Postponement of Proposed Parliamentary Briefing

Premadasa had proposed bringing representatives of the Bar Association to Parliament to present their views on the proposed constitutional amendment to all 225 Members of Parliament.

However, the proposal faced opposition from Government members, who argued that such an arrangement would not be consistent with established parliamentary procedures.

Government representatives maintained that Parliament had not approved a session in which all 225 MPs would be convened before a professional organisation to hear its views on pending legislation.

Against this backdrop, BASL has informed the Opposition Leader that it will not participate in the proposed briefing at this stage.

Bar Association Calls for Bipartisan Consensus

In a letter addressed to Sajith Premadasa, BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya requested that the proposed briefing on the constitutional amendment concerning the retirement age of judges be postponed until bipartisan participation can be assured.

Amarasuriya described the proposed briefing as an important and timely initiative, noting that the BASL had initially hoped it would provide an opportunity for MPs from all political parties to better understand concerns raised by the legal profession.

The association said it had expected the issue, given its national importance, to receive bipartisan support.

However, following parliamentary proceedings on August 19 and the position expressed by the Government, BASL said it had concluded that there was currently insufficient consensus or interest from the Government to facilitate such a briefing for its parliamentary members.

BASL Says Government MPs Should Also Hear Its Concerns

According to the letter, although the Opposition has already expressed strong objections to the proposed constitutional amendment, the BASL believed that its briefing would have been particularly useful for Government MPs when objectively assessing the proposed changes.

The association therefore requested that the session be postponed until participation from both sides of Parliament can be assured.

The decision comes amid continuing political and legal debate over the proposed 22nd Constitutional Amendment and the extension of the retirement age of judges.

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