News
JICA-BASL project controversy: Some lawyers demand thorough probe
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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Landslide RED warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions of Ududumbara, Nildadndahinna and Walapane
The landslide early warning center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued RED warnings to the districts of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya for the next 24 hours effective from 0900 hrs today [09th January].
Accordingly,
LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Ududumbara in the Kandy district, and Nildandahinna and Walapane in the Nuwara Eliya district.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Wilgamuwa in the Matale district, and Mathurata and Hanguranketha in the Nuwara Eliya district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Kandaketiya, Badulla, Meegahakiwula, Hali_Ela, Passara and Lunugala in the Badulla district, Minipe in the Kandy district, Ambanganga Korale, Ukuwela, Rattota, Naula and Laggala_Pallegama in the Matale district, and Nuwara Eliya in the Nuwara Eliya district.
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A Policy is being formulated to ensure Child Protection in the use of Technology — Prime Minister
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that a policy is currently being formulated to ensure child protection in the use of technology.
The Prime Minister made this statement on Thursday (08) in Kandy while briefing the Most Venerable Mahanayake Theros of the Asgiriya and Malwathu Chapters on the issue that has arisen regarding the Grade 6 English module. Thereafter, printed copies of all modules were presented to the Mahanayake Theros.
Earlier on Thursday (08), the Prime Minister visited the Malwathu Viharaya in Kandy and met the Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Nayaka Thero, the Mahanayake of the Malwathu Chapter, where she explained the error that had occurred in the first print run of the English module for Grade 6 .
The Mahanayake Theros emphasized that education is a sensitive subject and that such matters should be handled with greater sensitivity and proper oversight. They further advised that a formal investigation should be conducted and that education reforms should be carried forward in a systematic manner.
Subsequently, the Prime Minister visited the Asgiriya Maha Viharaya and met the Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayaka Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter, where she clarified the error related to the English module.
The Mahanayake Thero noted that education reforms are a timely necessity and should be implemented with due oversight and careful review and also pointed out that there are broader issues in Sri Lanka regarding the use of technology, which are evident in the manner in which modern tools such as AI technologies are being used on social media.
Clarifying the issue Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further stated,
“We have appointed a committee to look into this issue, and based on the recommendations of the National Institute of Education (NIE), steps were taken to remove the relevant lesson. In addition, all printed copies of the relevant module have been stamped, and no module has been distributed to schoolchildren. A formal investigation into this matter has been initiated by the Ministry, and a complaint has also been lodged with the Criminal Investigation Department.
At the same time, we are in the process of formulating a policy on child protection in the use of technology”.
Thereafter, addressing the media and responding to the’ questions raised by journalists, the Prime Minister stated:
“The Opposition is attempting to use this national task for their own political advantage. However, many in society have expressed their views on the issues that have arisen in a positive manner, with the objective of identifying and correcting mistakes. The government has decided to move forward with education reforms by recognizing the error that have occurred and rectifying them. We will take the no-confidence motion brought by the Opposition as an opportunity to further advance dialogue on education reforms”
The occasion was graced by the Most Venerable Anunayaka Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter, Venerable Narampanawe Ananda Nayaka Thero; Deputy Registrar of the Asgiriya Chapter, Venerable Muruddeniye Dhammarakkhita Thero; Deputy Registrar of the Malwathu Chapter, Venerable Mahawela Rathanapala Thero; Members of Parliament Thushari Jayasinghe and Thanura Dissanayake; Mayor of Kandy Chandrasiri Wijenayake; Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa; and Secretary to the Ceylon Teachers’ Union in Central Province D. D. Wimalaweera.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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The deep depression to the South-east of Sri Lanka is likely to intensify in to a cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours
A RED warning for a deep depression to the South-east of Sri Lanka has been issued at 01.00 a.m. on 09 January 2026 for the period until 01.00 a.m. 10 January 2026 by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre, of the Department of Meteorology.
The deep depression in the Bay of Bengal to the southeast of Sri Lanka (At 01:00 a.m. on Jan 9th, 2026 located about 200 km East of Pottuvil) is very likely to intensify further and move west-northwestwards towards the coast of Sri Lanka between Pottuvil and Trincomalee in the evening today (9th January 2026.) The system is likely to intensify in to a cyclonic storm
during the next 24 hours.
Hence, showery, and windy condition over the island, particularly in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern, Uva and Central provinces is expected to enhance.
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