Sajith's Move to Bring BASL to Parliament Hits Roadblock

COLOMBO (News 1st); Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has attempted to invite the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) to Parliament to brief all MPs on concerns surrounding the government's proposal to extend the retirement age of judges.

In a letter sent to the Speaker on August 2, Sajith Premadasa informed him that the Bar Association of Sri Lanka had been invited to address all Members of Parliament at 3.00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, within the Parliamentary Complex.

Translated Excerpt from Sajith Premadasa's Letter:

"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. Given the importance of these matters and their potential long-term implications, it is essential that Members of Parliament be afforded an opportunity to hear the views and opinions of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka before Parliament deliberates and arrives at a decision on the proposed legislation."

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka had been expected to brief Members of Parliament today following the invitation extended by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa.

However, the briefing did not take place.

One of the main reasons was that no approval had been granted for the event during a meeting of parliamentary party leaders.

Meanwhile, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka sent a letter to Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday.

In the letter, the Association stated that the date and time for the proposed briefing of Members of Parliament had been scheduled without prior consultation or notification to the Bar Association.

The letter also noted that the decision had been communicated without obtaining the Association's agreement to participate.

The Bar Association further informed the Opposition Leader that, as an independent and non-partisan professional body, any briefing or presentation to Members of Parliament should be conducted on a bipartisan basis, with the participation of all political parties represented in both the government and opposition, and with the widest possible representation of Members of Parliament in attendance.