BASL Distances Itself From Sajith's Parliamentary Invitation

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has expressed strong concerns regarding the actions of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, sending him a letter over a request made to the Speaker to facilitate a meeting with Members of Parliament on issues relating to the extension of the retirement age of judges without obtaining the Association's prior approval.

In a letter addressed to the Speaker on August 2, Sajith Premadasa had informed that the Bar Association of Sri Lanka had been invited to Parliament at 3.00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, to brief all Members of Parliament on matters relating to the proposed extension of the retirement age of judges, and requested that arrangements be made accordingly.

However, in a letter sent to the Opposition Leader yesterday, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka stated that the date and time for briefing Members of Parliament had been fixed without prior consultation or notification to the Association.

The letter further noted that the decision regarding the Association's participation had been taken without its consent.

The Bar Association also emphasized that it is an independent and non-partisan professional body and that any briefing or presentation made to Members of Parliament should be conducted on a bipartisan basis, ensuring representation from both government and opposition parties and enabling the participation of the widest possible cross-section of Members of Parliament.