Railway Station Masters’ Association Backs BASL Position on Proposed 22nd Amendment
The Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Association (SLRSMA) has expressed its full support for the position taken by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) regarding the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution.
The SLRSMA said safeguarding the independence of the judiciary, the rule of law, separation of powers and the sovereignty of the people is a responsibility shared by the entire civil society and not limited to any single professional group.
In a statement, the Association said it has closely followed the position adopted by the BASL, as well as the legal and constitutional steps being taken in relation to the proposed amendment.
The SLRSMA stressed that changes to the tenure or retirement age of judges of the superior courts cannot be considered merely as routine administrative amendments. It said the manner in which such changes are introduced, their timing, the officeholders to whom they may apply and their potential impact on public confidence in judicial independence must all be considered with the utmost caution.
The Association said that in a democratic state, it is essential not only that justice is done, but also that the public can clearly see that justice is being administered independently, impartially and without external influence.
It warned that when the legal framework governing judicial tenure is changed, every effort must be made to ensure that no doubt or precedent is created that could undermine public trust in the judiciary.
The SLRSMA acknowledged that delays in the judicial system, case backlogs and issues relating to efficiency require solutions. However, it stressed that measures aimed at addressing such administrative or systemic issues should not undermine the institutional independence of the judiciary or public confidence in it.
The Association also said a democratic society must allow criticism of judicial decisions and lawful questioning of shortcomings within the judicial system. However, it emphasized that solutions to such issues should be pursued through established constitutional and legal procedures while protecting judicial independence.
Accordingly, the SLRSMA said it fully supports the principled position taken by the BASL on the proposed 22nd Amendment, particularly in safeguarding judicial independence, the rule of law, the sovereignty of the people and Sri Lanka’s democratic constitutional values.
The Association also expressed support for the reasonable measures taken by the BASL within the constitutional and legal framework concerning the proposed amendment.
It emphasized that the issue is not one affecting the legal community alone, but a matter of national importance concerning the rights, freedoms and future democratic governance of all citizens.
The SLRSMA stressed that its position was taken not on behalf of any individual, institution or political party, but in defence of an independent judiciary, the rule of law and the sovereignty of the people.
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