Bar Association briefing to MPs collapses after party leaders withhold approval

A briefing by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka to all members of Parliament on the government’s proposal to extend the retirement age of judges did not take place on Wednesday, after party leaders declined to approve the event.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa had written to the Speaker on August 2 saying the Association had been invited to address all MPs at 3.00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5, within the parliamentary complex.

“The constitutional amendment approved by the Cabinet and expected to be presented to Parliament in the near future raises a number of significant concerns relating to the Constitution, the independence of the judiciary, the separation of powers and the rule of law,” Premadasa wrote, in a translated excerpt published by NewsFirst.

He argued it was essential that MPs be able to hear the Association’s views before Parliament deliberated on the legislation.

Two obstacles

The briefing failed on two counts. No approval was granted for the event at a meeting of parliamentary party leaders.

Separately, the Bar Association wrote to Premadasa on Tuesday saying the date and time had been fixed without prior consultation or notification, and that the decision had been communicated without first obtaining the Association’s agreement to take part.

As an independent and non-partisan professional body, the Association said, any briefing or presentation to MPs should be conducted on a bipartisan basis — with the participation of all parties represented in both government and opposition, and with the widest possible attendance.

The bill behind it

The dispute sits inside a wider confrontation over judicial tenure. The Cabinet approved a bill to raise the retirement age of judges last week, and the Justice Minister has said the 22nd Amendment draft will be gazetted shortly.

The Bar Association has opposed the move and asked the government to hold the process until meaningful consultation takes place among justice-sector stakeholders. The government, which holds a two-thirds majority, has signalled it intends to proceed.

Sources: NewsFirst.