COLOMBO, Aug. 12 -- The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has called for the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, which seeks to extend the retirement age of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges, to be submitted directly to a referendum, warning that the move could have a significant impact on judicial independence.

In a statement strongly opposing the proposed amendment, the BASL questioned the government's justification that extending judges' retirement ages would help expedite pending cases and improve the efficiency of the judicial system.

The Association said the connection between those objectives and extending the tenure of judges remained unclear.

It also noted that religious leaders, civil society organizations, ...