Sri Lanka, Aug. 12 -- A serious impact on the independence of the judiciary arises from the proposed amendment to extend the retirement age of judges, and this does not represent an urgent requirement to improve the current system, stressed the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL).

The BASL pointed this out today during a meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The delegation from the BASL requested the President not to proceed with the proposed amendment at this juncture, as numerous other important and urgent matters require the attention of the government.

A 20-member delegation, including BASL President Attorney-at-Law Rajeev Amarasuriya and other officials, met the President at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon. ...