Bar Council Demands Resignation of BASL President Kaushalya Navaratne

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Bar Council unanimously called upon Kaushalya Navaratne, PC to resign from office of BASL President.

Kaushalya Navaratne, PC was directed by the Bar Council not to exercise the power and functions of the President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL).

Anura Meddegoda, PC was elected Deputy President to succeed Nalinda Indatissa who resigned from that office.

A Special Committee appointed by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has delivered a critical report on the dealings between the BASL and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The investigation has concluded that BASL President Kaushalya Navaratne PC failed to maintain the transparency expected of him, ultimately breaching the trust of the organization he leads.

The report reveals that Navaratne PC was primarily responsible for handling the contractual arrangements and the selection of resource persons and researchers. This process, according to the Committee, was marked by a lack of transparency. 

Navaratne PC managed nearly all aspects of the contract, and the procedures he followed did not meet the standards of openness expected in such significant dealings.

The investigation noted that Navaratne's position as BASL President came with a responsibility to ensure transparency, particularly given the substantial financial implications of the JICA contract. The report criticizes Navaratne PC for failing to ensure that these processes were conducted in an open and accountable manner.

The BASL Executive Committee is expected to meet soon to deliberate on the implications of the report and decide on the appropriate steps to address the issues highlighted.