Bar Association of Sri Lanka faces protests and judicial recusal motion

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) is facing significant internal and external pressure amid controversies regarding constitutional amendments. Demonstrators staged a protest outside the BASL headquarters in Colombo, demanding the resignation of President Rajeev Amarasuriya. The People’s Joint Opposition has denied involvement in the protest, alleging instead that the government may be attempting to incite public hostility against the legal body.

Simultaneously, the BASL has filed a formal motion in the Supreme Court requesting that Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena recuse himself from hearings regarding the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution. The amendment, which proposes extending the retirement ages of certain public officials, has raised concerns regarding judicial impartiality, as the outcome could directly impact the tenure of members of the judiciary. The BASL argues that the Chief Justice's potential interest in the matter necessitates his withdrawal to maintain the integrity of the judicial process.