The Lawyers’ Association for Human Rights and Democracy (LAHRD), in a statement issued yesterday, stressed the need to form an alternative Bar Association, in view of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) pursing a political agenda.
The following is the full text of the statement issued by B. Manawadu, Senior Counsel and Thusitha N. Silva, attorney-at-law on behalf of the Association: "The Bar Association of Sri Lanka, yesterday underwent its worst experience in its history, where the Hon. Attorney General walked-out of the Convocation ceremony held at Royal College Nawarangahala when the impeached Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayaka came in as the Chief Guest along with Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, former President of the Republic and took place at the Head table. The current Chief Justice Hon. Mohan Peiris PC did not attend. Nor did any of the Judges of the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeal attend the Convocation of the new President Upul Jayasuriya Attorney-at-Law. The BASL has now become an orphanage. The whole election on behalf of Upul Jayasuriya was handled by a team of people who had a hidden agenda.
Former Justice Wignaswaran at the Convocation addressed the gathering undermining the sovereignty of the people of this country and the Supremacy of the Parliament. In our view this was the most disgraceful speech of all. Let us now get together and protect the Nation.
There is now a dialogue to form an alternative Bar Association and look into the interests of the Rule of Law and Independence of the Bar and of the lawyers as well as the interest of the Nation. The BASL was one of the most powerful organizations in the country for ever in our legal history. Since now we are facing a serious situation a number of President’s Counsels met together this morning regarding the organization of an alternative Association for lawyers.
Wijedasa Rajapakshe PC, Member of Parliament of the United National Party and a member of the Working Committee brought politics into the BASL and ruined the BASL and further he couldn’t stand for his second term. Now Upul Jayasuriya, another politician who lost all his national elections with Lalith Athulathmudali, has been returned as President of the BASL and on his Convocation he commenced the destruction of the integrity of the Bar Association by inviting the impeached Chief Justice as the Chief Guest. Further, he used former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, and former UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya who have nothing to do with the Bar Association. And he used the BASL further for his own political agenda. Why’ was the Membership so irresponsible as to elect a person with known political agendas? Where are we headed now?
Now the BASL has cut its bonding with HE the President, Hon. Chief Justice, and the Judiciary, the Attorney General, the legal departments and the law enforcement authorities. Where are we now?"
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