Sri Lanka's Private Bar Avoids Showdown, Alleges 'Government Threat'

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Sri Lanka's Private Bar Avoids Showdown, Alleges 'Government Threat'

Published Thursday, 20th August 2026 2:41 PM

MONETABRIEF – Sri Lanka's influential private bar association has indefinitely postponed a planned briefing for all Members of Parliament after referring to an alleged threat by the Government.

In a letter dated August 19 to Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) President Rajeev Amarasuriya said the association had initially hoped the briefing would help MPs understand its concerns about the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution.

The association said it had hoped for bipartisan consensus, which would have allowed MPs from both sides of the House to participate in the discussion.

However, referring to parliamentary proceedings on Wednesday, the BASL said that, “in light of … the position of the Government expressed threat”, there appeared to be neither consensus nor current interest on the part of the Government in providing the opportunity to its MPs.

Media minister Nalinda Jayatissa took objection to the letter and challenged the BASL to specify the alleged “threat” from the government.

The BASL letter did not specify the nature of the alleged threat. However, the decision to put off the meeting indefinitely comes amid heightened tensions over the proposed amendment and the BASL's opposition to it.

The association noted that the Opposition had already voiced its "vehement objection" to the proposal.

The BASL nevertheless said the briefing would have been useful for government MPs, enabling them to objectively consider their position on the proposed amendment to extend the retirement age of judges in the superior courts by two years.

The proposal to raise the retirement age of Supreme Court judges to 67 and that of Court of Appeal judges to 65 was initially made by Opposition MP Faiszer Musthapha, who is currently represents the coalition of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The BASL asked Opposition Premadasa to take steps to postpone the meeting until bipartisan participation could be assured. (Colombo/Aug 20/2026)