BASL rejects judicial retirement age extension proposals

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka unanimously opposed the proposed constitutional changes altering the retirement age of judicial officers in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.
The BASL reached the decision during the special general meeting held earlier today (29).
Security of tenure remains an indispensable safeguard for judicial independence, constitutional democracy, and the protection of fundamental rights, the BASL stated in the passed resolution.
The legal body noted that the initiative lacked objective justification, public consultation, or institutional necessity, pointing out that existing vacancies, case delays, and procedural inefficiencies require urgent attention rather than tenure adjustments for serving judges.
International standards, including the United Nations Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary and the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct, emphasise that judicial security of tenure must be adequately secured by law, BASL stated in the resolution.
BASL pointed out that the proposed changes place Supreme Court judges in an awkward position of conflict of interest when reviewing legislation.
The association urged authorities to prioritise filling current vacancies through standard constitutional mechanisms and implement structural reforms outlined in the Justice Sector Assessment and Strategic Action Plan.
The BASL members have unanimously agreed to take all lawful steps available nationally and internationally to safeguard judicial independence and oppose measures that undermine constitutional governance.