COLOMBO, July 30 -- The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has formally rejected the government's proposal to extend the retirement age of judges, warning that the move could undermine judicial independence and requesting a meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to discuss its concerns.

The decision was reached unanimously at a Special General Meeting of the BASL held on Wednesday (29), attended by approximately 3,000 attorneys from across the country.

According to the BASL, members resolved that the government's proposal to extend the retirement age of judges at all levels of the judiciary was "short-sighted" and should be opposed.

Following the resolution, a BASL delegation led by its president Rajeev Amarasuriya PC met Jus...