The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has strongly rejected allegations made in Parliament today (24) by Government MP Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana against BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya, describing the claims as "utterly false, baseless, and made with malicious intent."

Issuing a statement today (24), the BASL expressed deep concern over what it described as the abuse of parliamentary privilege to make unfounded and defamatory statements that could mislead the public.

The Association stated that such politically motivated attacks would not succeed and affirmed that Sri Lanka's legal fraternity remains united in defending the independence and integrity of the BASL.

Commenting on the proposal to increase the retirement age of judges of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, the BASL reiterated that constitutional amendments affecting the Superior Courts should not be introduced in an ad hoc manner or in response to temporary circumstances.

The Association stressed that amendments of such constitutional significance should only be undertaken where there is a demonstrable institutional necessity, transparent public justification, and broad stakeholder consultation, adding that public confidence in constitutional governance depends on both the substance of the amendment and the process by which it is introduced.

The BASL further stated that throughout its history it has consistently defended democracy, judicial independence, human rights, and the right to protest, regardless of which government is in power, and insisted that it "does not, and will not, play politics."

The Association also challenged MP Asitha Niroshana Egoda Withanage to repeat the allegations outside Parliament without the protection of parliamentary privilege, stating that legal consequences could then follow.