President to meet BASL tomorrow over proposal to increase judges’ retirement age

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has scheduled a meeting with the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) at 1.00 p.m. tomorrow (11) to discuss the Government’s proposal to amend the Constitution to increase the retirement age of judges.

Under the Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution Draft Bill, which was published in the official Government Gazette on August 07, 2026, the mandatory retirement age of Supreme Court judges would be increased from 65 to 67, while the retirement age of Court of Appeal judges would be raised from 63 to 65.

The amendment also proposes that the Chief Justice retire upon reaching the age of 67 or completing six years in office, whichever comes first.

The BASL unanimously opposed the government’s proposal to extend the retirement age of judges, with BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya stating that the entire legal profession of the country is firmly against the move.

Speaking to media on July 29, 2026, following a Special General Meeting held by the BASL premises, Amarasuriya said all lawyers present at the meeting, as well as those who participated online, voted against the proposal.

He said the proposal has also drawn opposition from judges and warned that the move could have a serious impact on judicial independence.

He further described the government’s decision as an unwise move and said the BASL would take all possible steps to oppose the proposal, with the backing received at the General Meeting strengthening its position.

He cautioned that any action affecting the independence of the judiciary could have long-term consequences and urged the government to reconsider the proposal while taking into account the views of the legal community.

The BASL President said the association has been raising objections to the proposal for nearly two months but had not been given an opportunity by the government to discuss the matter.