The Bar Association has asked to postpone a briefing to all Members of Parliament on the 22nd Amendment over lack of consensus

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has cancelled a special briefing that it planned to address all 225 Members of Parliament on the BASL's concerns over the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution that was presented in Parliament on Tuesday.

The BASL has been vocal in its opposition to one of the key proposals in the amendment—the extension of the retirement age of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges.

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa had earlier requested the Speaker to facilitate the briefing with the BASL and all 225 MPs.

Background

Premadasa made a request in Parliament on Wednesday to allow all MPs to join a briefing with BASL representatives on the proposed amendment and the failure to fill the existing judges’ vacancies in the Supreme Court and the Appeal Court.

The request was opposed by several government MPs, with Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake stating that no individual or external organization had the authority to summon all Members of Parliament.

He said Premadasa's request was outside of established Parliamentary procedures.

Postponement

In a letter addressed to Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya formally requested to postpone the parliamentary briefing regarding the proposed constitutional amendment.

The association noted that despite hopes for bipartisan consensus, parliamentary proceedings revealed a lack of government interest and consensus on providing this opportunity to MPs.

Consequently, the BASL requested that the session be postponed until balanced, bipartisan participation from both the government and the opposition can be assured.