Bar welcomes new Court of Appeal President, new judge

Sarath Malalasekera

COLOMBO: The Bench and the Bar welcomed new Court of Appeal President Justice K. Sripavan and new Judge of the Court of Appeal Justice A.W.A. Salaam at a ceremonial sittings at the Superior Courts Complex on Wednesday morning.

Associated on the Bench with the new Court of Appeal President, Justice K. Sripavan were Justice Chandra Ekanayake, Justice S.I. Imam, Justice L.K. Wimalachandra, Justice Sri Skandarajah, Justice W. L. Ranjith Silva, Justice Sisira de Abrew, Justice Eric Basnayake, Justice Rohini Perera, Justice Anil Gooneratne and new Court of Appeal Judge, Justice A.W.A. Salaam. Commercial High Court Judges, High Court Judges, Colombo District Judge, Additional District Judges, Colombo Chief Magistrate and Colombo Additional Magistrates occupied the dais.

President’s Counsel, Senior and Junior members of the Official and Unofficial Bar, and close relatives of Justice K. Sripavan and Justice A.W.A. Salaam were among the distinguished gathering.

Court of Appeal Registrar M.M. Jayasekera and Deputy Registrar Sanath Pinnaduwa officiated.

Justice Sripavan said, there cannot be an independent judiciary without an independent and fearless Bar just as much as there cannot be an independent Bar without an independent judiciary. Let us remember that the Bench and the Bar stand for a common cause known as “the dispensation of justice”.

The Bar being the wielders of the law which is the repository of concepts of justice, fairness, equity and conscience has a vital role to play in this regard.

Every lawyer is not only duty bound to give his client sound legal advice but also maintain the highest traditions of the Bar without abusing the judicial process. We, the judges have often seen appeals and applications being filed on frivolous grounds which only adds to the laws delays and also prolong the agony that the litigant has to undergo.

Attorney General K. C. Kamalasabeyson PC addressing the ceremonial sitting to welcome the new Court of Appeal President, Justice K. Sripavan and new Court of Appeal Judge Justice A. W. A. Salaam said, Justice Sripavan’s temperament and attitude as a Judge of this Court always reflected your commitment to the cause of justice.

The several reported judgments of you clearly demonstrate not only your knowledge of the law but also the overbearing sense of justice and fair play.

Justice Salaam who hails from the Southern Province was called to the Bar on September 18, 1976. You practised in the District Court of Galle for 6 years, mainly in the civil field.

Thereafter you accepted an appointment as a Magistrate in January, 1982. As a career Judicial Officer you functioned in several heavy stations. You enjoyed the reputation as an ideal Judge.

Always courteous to the members of the Bar, but determined to avoid undue delay and postponements, you were able to at all times maintain the dignity and decorum of the judiciary.

In view of your sense of duty and commitment you were appointed to the responsible position of Secretary of the Judicial Service Commission in October, 1999 which post you held till June 2002.

We are confident that with your vast experience and extensive knowledge of the law you will further enrich the legal literature of our country.

Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) President Nihal Jayamanne PC addressing the ceremonial sittings on Wednesday, said while You Lordship was at the Attorney General’s Department you functioned as the Head of the Court of Appeal Unit and handled a large volume of work both in the Court and in the Supreme Court, including Bills and Fundamental Rights Applications.

You played an important role in the allocation and supervision of Court of Appeal cases. These included Revenue matters and the supervision of legal work of State Counsel in relation to advise sought by various government Departments and Statutory Boards.

You have at all times treated all lawyers who appear before you with courtesy, whether junior or senior. No one has gone from Your Court unhappy that he was not given a fair hearing. The bar takes this opportunity to place on record its appreciation.