June 30, Colombo (LNW): The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has announced plans to seek public views on the government’s proposal to increase the retirement age of judges serving on the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.
The consultation is scheduled to take place on 4 July 2026, following the BASL’s General Meeting, as part of the association’s efforts to encourage wider public and professional engagement on the proposed judicial reform.
The decision was taken at a recent meeting of the BASL Executive Committee, where members extensively discussed the implications of extending the retirement age of judges in the country’s two highest appellate courts.
During the deliberations, the Executive Committee also agreed to write to the President requesting that the proposal should not be implemented in its current form. Members expressed the view that any changes affecting the judiciary should be considered only after broad consultation and careful assessment of their potential impact on judicial independence and the administration of justice.
As part of this process, the BASL will invite legal professionals, stakeholders and members of the public to share their opinions before determining its formal position on the matter.
Meanwhile, the Judicial Service Association is also preparing to examine the government’s proposal. The association’s Executive Council has decided to convene a special general meeting on 11 July 2026 to discuss the planned revision to the retirement age of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges and consider its implications for the judiciary.
