Sri Lanka, Aug. 12 -- The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has urged the Government to refrain from proceeding with the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution in its present form, warning that the proposed extension of the retirement age of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges would directly affect the independence of the Judiciary.

The BASL issued the statement today (12), shortly before a scheduled meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to discuss concerns surrounding the proposed constitutional amendment.

The BASL said it had grave concerns over the Bill, which was published in the Gazette on August 7, and questioned the Government's stated justification that the amendment was intended to expedite hearings and i...