News

JICA-BASL project controversy: Some lawyers demand thorough probe

Published

2 years ago

2024/05/31

A group of lawyers, including a President’s Counsel has said that those under investigation in connection with funds received from JICA for a particular project should step down pending the conclusion of an inquiry undertaken by a five -member committee consisting of Dr. K. Kanag-Isvaran, PC, Dr. Faisz Musthapa, PC, Ikram Mohamed, PC, Rienzie Arsekularatne, PC, and Geoffrey Alagaratnam, PC.

The following is the text of the letter addressed to the committee with copies to members of the Management Committee and Executive Committee, BASL: We write as concerned members of the Bar, upon learning of your appointment by the Bar Council on 18th May 2024 to look into the very serious and perturbing allegations pertaining to the BASL project/activities funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) relating to promotion of transparent and competitive business climate (‘Anti-Corruption) in Sri Lanka, as a Committee of Inquiry.

We welcome your appointment, as we believe that the appointment of a committee of respected seniors in the profession to independently and impartially inquire into the matter, is an excellent first step to ensure full accountability and protect the moral authority of the association as an honest, responsible professional body that genuinely upholds propriety, transparency and integrity in all its dealings where any serious lapses tire credibly alleged to have occurred.

The matters you are accordingly entrusted with inquiring into, entail very serious allegations of misconduct against certain BASL Office-bearers.

Such allegations warrant thorough, detailed scrutiny with a view to holding all concerned/responsible persons accountable and responsible to the fullest extent. The level of accountability imposed by the association on those Found to have breached or fallen short of the relevant standards will determine the degree of credibility and public trust the association will enjoy both within and without the profession, hereafter.

In the given circumstances, we note that it is essential that no stone is left unturned to impose full responsibility, liability and accountability and that the recommendations made are objective and duly reflect what is warranted and merited in terms of facts exposed and findings made irrespective of persons and personalities involved.

Accordingly, we note that in order to preserve the said moral authority, credibility and public trust, detailed and reasoned findings in respect of each and every person allegedly concerned, are imperative for the association to be able to properly exercise its responsibility towards the Bar, the general public and the country. Such detailed and reasoned findings would also credibly deliver vindication and fairness to any allegedly involved/concerned person/s objectively found absolved of liability in any manner or to any extent.

We also note with great concern that the Supreme Court and the general public must be great to place reliance upon the BASL to conduct honest, impartial inquiries into any alleged acts of professional misconduct for the purpose of disciplinary control of the legal profession by their Lordships of the Supreme Court. The credibility of the BASL as being suitable to be entrusted with the said role necessarily demands that the BASL leadership office-bearers should not comprise any persons who themselves credibly appear liable for breach of any professional ethics/standards in their dealings.

Therefore. due consideration and findings as to whether there is any apparent breach of applicable professional ethics/standards in terms of the Supreme Court (Conduct and Etiquette for Attorneys-at-Law) Rules 1988 by the persons concerned, remains crucial for the Bar Council and the membership to be able to determine what steps are warranted to hold those concerned accountable. We urge accordingly, that such findings are also covered in your report, for due consideration of the Bar Council and membership.

We also note with grave concern that in the given context, established norms of propriety and allegedly governance demand that all those allegedly liable or responsible for any misconduct in relation to the said project/activities involving JICA and the BASL and not inclined to voluntarily resign or step down from their positions in the association ought to be required to step down from Functioning in any office of the association forthwith, pending the conduct of the inquiry and final determination of the matter. Failure to do so, would inflict great harm on the association and its ability to claim true commitment to good governance norms. Therefore, this letter is also copied to the members of the Management Committee and Executive Committee of the association for necessary steps to be taken accordingly.

We thank you for undertaking the burden of the unpleasant duty of conducting a full, proper and fair inquiry without fear or favour into matters concerning the propriety of the conduct of colleagues at the Bar, understanding full well, how critically important it is for truth and accountability to prevail in undiluted form, given that much of the future wellbeing and legitimacy of the BASL in terms of moral authority and standing depends upon it.”

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Navy Commander attends Trans-Regional Seapower Symposium in Italy

Published

51 mins ago

2026/10/12

Priyan

The Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Damian Fernando attended the 15th edition of Trans-Regional Seapower Symposium, organised by the Italian Navy in Venice in Italy, on 6 and 7 October 2026.

The symposium was held at the Italian Navy‟s historic Arsenal in Venice under the theme “From Regional Waters to Global Influence: Generating Effects Across the Midland Seas of the World”.

Organised biennially by the Italian Navy since 1996, the symposium brings together heads of foreign navies, naval representatives, academics, industry representatives and scientific researchers to discuss maritime security and the role of regional maritime dynamics in shaping the global balance.

The sessions of the symposium aimed to present an analysis of the relevance and influence of regional dynamics on global balances and their relative implications within the maritime domain.

Thus, topics discussed included; ‘Geopolitical Background: Global and Regional Dynamics in Comparison,’ ‘Pivotal Role of Cooperation among Regional Alliances as Security Providers,’
‘Maritime Regional Security Complexes, Global Order and Sea-Based Flows – What Role for Navies?,’ ‘New Arctic Chessboard: Seapower, Resources and the Race for Connectivity,’ ‘Future-
Proof Capabilities: A Naval Force Designed to Operate Across Oceans, Act Within Regions and Deliver Effects on the Ground,’ ‘Future Seas: Industrial Scale, Decisive Mass and Innovation –
Securing the Maritime Domain’ and ‘Future-Proof Leadership: Preparing Maritime Commanders and Sailors for Complexity,’

Cooperation fostered through symposiums of this nature, which bring together a multitude of global maritime stakeholders, will enable the Sri Lanka Navy to respond collectively to maritime
challenges, in pursuit of maintaining a safe, secure, prosperous and a stable ocean region.

Latest News

Heavy showers about (100-150) mm are likely at some places in the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva and Southern provinces

Published

1 hour ago

2026/10/12

Priyan

WEATHER FORECAST FOR 13 October 2026
Issued at 2.00 p.m. on 12 October 2026 by the Department of Meteorology

A low-pressure area may form over the southeastern Bay of Bengal by 13 October.

Under the influence of this system, an increase in rainfall is expected over the island and the deep and shallow sea areas around the island during the next few days from tomorrow (13).

The general public, as well as the naval and fishing communities, are requested to be attentive to the future forecasts and bulletins issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.

Heavy showers about (100-150) mm are likely at some places in the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva and Southern provinces.
Fairly heavy showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in the other areas of the island. Showers or thundershowers will occur in most parts of the island.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces during the early hours of the morning.

News

Elephant enrichment programme centred on the Thabbowa Reservoir proves successful

Published

1 hour ago

2026/10/12

Priyan

As part of the new government’s initiative to formulate scientifically grounded, long-term solutions to the human-elephant conflict, a programme aimed at sustainably fulfilling the natural food and water requirements of wild elephants within forest ecosystems is being successfully implemented.

Spearheaded by the Ministers of Environment, guided by the Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, and supported by all affiliated institutions, this initiative transforms tanks (reservoirs) and forest tracts in high-conflict areas into enriched zones for wild elephants.

To facilitate this forest enrichment drive, 113 forests have already been declared protected reserves under the Vanaspathi National Programme. The initial phase of establishing tank enrichment zones was launched around the Kala Wewa and Thabbowa reservoirs.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Environment and ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ jointly carried out an initiative to develop these reservoir
catchments into designated enrichment zones.

A year ago, an operation to eradicate invasive plant species that posed a severe environmental threat to the Thabbowa reservoir precinct was conducted with the comprehensive labour and
technical support of government officials, environmental scientists, the tri-forces, and residents.

Since the new government’s policy of “A Sustainable Biosphere, An Evergreen Life” is practically implemented at the ground level, officials from the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Department of Forest Conservation have been continuously monitoring the ongoing progress and
field conditions of this collaborative project under ministerial directives.

During these field reviews, it was observed that following the removal of invasive flora, the tendency of wild elephants to wander into villages searching for sustenance has notably declined; instead, they increasingly frequent the naturally regenerated grasslands along the reservoir fringes.

Having proven this ecological model’s success through trials at Thabbowa and Kala Wewa, the Ministry of Environment has finalized all necessary blueprints to swiftly replicate it across other sensitive wetland systems and reserve zones where human-elephant conflict is prevalent.

By enriching wildlife habitats, this sustainable, eco-friendly, and scientific strategy protects human lives and cultivated farmlands while securing space for wild elephants in their native habitats, continuing to show promising results across high-conflict regions.