BASL will ensure equal rights for all citizens - President, W. Dayaratne

Sarath Malalasekera

“The Bench and Bar are two components seeking the pursuit of justice and the advancement of the rule of law. We treasure the co-operation between the Bench and Bar and trust that this will not be marred by unnecessary skirmishes in Court. Such skirmishes bring no credit to either. Both judges and counsel should bear in mind that courtesy begets courtesy,” Bar Association President W. Dayaratne said at the BASL Convocation on Saturday.

Attorney General Mohan Pieris PC inducted the new President of the Bar Association (BASL) W. Dayaratne at the 35th Annual Convocation held at the Ceylon Continental Hotel Colombo on Saturday.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressed the gathering at the induction ceremony via satellite.

The BASL President said the Bar Association of Sri Lanka will do its utmost to ensure that all citizens will be treated alike and that no citizen will be discriminated ongrounds of race, religion or political affiliations. If this is adhered to, communal and religious harmony will be ensured and all citizens of SriLanka will be able to live together as brothers and sisters in a united Sri Lanka.

It is also essential that appointments of public office should be free of political or any other irrelevant considerations. Furthermore every single person no matter what position he holds should be subjected to the sovereignty of the people and the rule of law.

The Bar Association will ensure that these lofty principles, which are enshrined in our Constitution, are carried out in practice, BASL President Dayaratne said.

BASL President Dayaratne said:

Another project of immense value, spearheaded by my able Secretary U.R. De Silva is the publication of unreported judgments of the Superior Courts from 2006 to 2008 in Civil and Criminal Law.

A substantial amount out of the profits made from this project was donated to our Library Development Fund to provide enhanced library facilities to our members. The Effective Instructing Attorney’s course was yet another novel project and designed especially for junior lawyers.

This is a course aimed at instilling a thorough knowledge of drafting and filing pleadings in all Courts according to proper procedure.

A certificate is issued on successful completion of this course. Two batches have successfully completed this course in Colombo and we have now started an identical course in Kalutara at the request of the Kalutara Bar. I am indebted to the Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva (PC) for the constant guidance and the invaluable support extended by him to the Association as whole and to me personally.

Our judiciary is extremely fortunate to have as its head an exceptionally straightforward, hardworking and fearless person who has not only dedicated himself to working towards the constant improvement and betterment of the Judiciary and the legal profession but also towards the general good of mankind.

He has been a source of inspiration for the entire profession and we as an Association are inspired by the precedent set by him to work towards the betterment of our profession.

I extend my deep gratitude to the Attorney General Mohan Peiris who was our Deputy President until he assumed the august office which he now holds. I valued his advice and guidance when he was with us and I look forward to work with him in the future in his new capacity. I also wish to mention our newly appointed Deputy President Titus Manatunga who is the first person from an outstation Bar to hold this post.

Much appreciation goes to my Executive Committee for the fullest Co-operation extended to me and I also wish to thank our Administrative Secretary Charmaine Madurasinghe and the Staff of the Bar Association for their dedicated service through out the year.

There are several senior members of the Bar who have given their unstinted support to me through out my tenure. The list is too long to mention but, I wish to acknowledge the support and advice extended to me by former President of the Bar Association Romesh De Silva, PC and Faiz Musthpha PC.

On a personal note I would like with gratitude to make reference to my parents to whom I owe a debt which can never be repaid.