French National Bar Council Backs BASL on Judges' Retirement Age Proposal

03-Aug-2026

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The French National Bar Council has adopted a resolution expressing serious concern over the Sri Lankan Government's proposal to increase the retirement age of judges and has extended its support to the position taken by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL).

The resolution was adopted at the Council's Annual General Assembly in Paris following discussions between a BASL delegation and the Council's Committee on European and International Affairs.

The Council underscored the BASL's warning that extending the retirement age of sitting judges could be perceived by the public as an attempt to interfere with judicial independence.

It also referred to the statement issued by the Commonwealth Lawyers Association in support of the BASL, emphasising that an independent and impartial judiciary is indispensable for safeguarding the rule of law and maintaining a sound constitutional framework.

Reaffirming its full support for the BASL's position, the French National Bar Council called upon the Sri Lankan Government not to proceed with the proposed constitutional amendment aimed at increasing the retirement age of judges.