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.”

All News Advertisement

News

Current El Niño Status in Sri Lanka

Published

7 hours ago

2026/07/16

Priyan

At present, El Niño conditions have developed and are classified as being at a weak level. Forecasts indicate a 63% probability of a very strong El Niño event developing during the period from November 2026 to January 2027. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there is approximately a one-third probability that El Niño will remain below a very strong intensity.

Typical Climatic Conditions Associated with El Niño
Based on analyses of past El Niño events that occurred between 1950 and 2025:
• Rainfall during July and August may be below normal, particularly in the dry zone areas.
• From October onward, rainfall is generally expected to be above normal.
• If a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) develops, enhanced rainfall conditions may continue until December.

Sectors Requiring Attention
• Appropriate measures should be taken for water resource management during July and August.
• Increased rainfall expected from October onward may lead to floods and landslides, requiring preparedness and close monitoring. The forecasts are important for sectors such as, Agriculture /Water management /Livestock /Health /Energy /Other climate-sensitive sectors
• Attention should be paid to official information issued by the Department of Meteorology.

Actions by the Department of Meteorology
The Department of Meteorology continuously monitors the evolving situation and issues:
• Weekly and monthly seasonal forecasts and Monthly analyses of rainfall data to monitor meteorological drought conditions.
As weather conditions are influenced not only by El Niño but also by other climatic factors, updated forecasts and advisories are regularly shared with relevant stakeholder organizations (Irrigation/ Water Management Committee /Department of Agriculture/National Building Research Institute/Disaster Management Centre (DMC)/Ministry of Health /Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation…etc). The Department also provides technical support to the committee established through a Cabinet decision to address climate-related impacts. The Department’s monthly rainfall outlook for July to September 2026 is attached

Monthly Rainfall Forecasts for July, August and September 2026
Month Rainfall forecast
July 2026

During July 2026, there is a higher probability of having near normal rainfall across most parts of the Western and Southern Provinces. The remainder of the country is expected to experience below normal rainfall.

August 2026

There is a higher probability of having below normal rainfall across most parts of the country during month of August 2026.

September 2026

There is a possibility of above-normal rainfall across most parts of the Western and Southern Provinces, while near-normal rainfall is expected in the Sabaragamuwa Province. Below-normal rainfall is likely in the remaining areas during September 2026.

Note: These long-range forecasts may change due to strong day-to-day atmospheric variability associated with the movement of weather systems such as atmospheric disturbances, low-pressure areas, and depressions, as well as intra-seasonal oscillations such as the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO). Therefore, in addition to the weekly and monthly forecasts, it is important to pay attention to the Department’s official announcements, weather advisories and warnings, as well as the daily weather forecasts issued by the Department of Meteorology.

News

Govt. move to extend retirement ages of top judges: Opp. complains to UN

Published

8 hours ago

2026/07/16

Sahan Weerasooriya

Prof. Peiris addresses the media outside the UN compound in Colombo on Thursday on the controversial government move to extend the retirement ages of Superior Court judges, while former MPs Thalatha Atukorale, Dr Suren Raghavan and Premanath C. Dolawatta look on.

Former External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris yesterday (15) briefed the UN Resident Coordinator in Colombo, Marc-André Franche, on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s move to extend the retirement ages of the superior court judges and the delay in filling the vacancies in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.

Prof. Peiris, the convenor of the People’s Joint Opposition, led the delegation that included UNP General Secretary and former Minister Thalatha Atukorale, former UPFA National List parliamentarian Suren Raghavan and ex- SLPP MP Premnath C. Dolawatta.

Having met the top official here, Prof. Peiris briefed the media on their decision to bring the developing situation to the notice of the UN.

Referring to the opposition of the legal fraternity to the NPP government’s plan, Prof. Peiris emphasised that the civil society, too, had opposed the politically motivated initiative.

Prof. Peiris said that instead of addressing the burning issues affecting the public, the government was creating new problems.

News

Dengue surge pushes hospitals to the brink as cases near 70,000

Published

8 hours ago

2026/07/16

Sahan Weerasooriya

A week-long crackdown to begin in 11 districts

Hospitals are coming under mounting pressure as the country’s dengue epidemic gathers pace, with nearly 70,000 infections and 48 deaths reported so far this year, prompting health authorities to launch an intensive week-long mosquito control campaign in 11 districts.

The National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) said 69,951 dengue cases had been reported by July 13, with 14,572 new infections recorded during the first 13 days of July alone. June saw the highest monthly caseload of the year, underlining the rapid spread of the mosquito-borne disease during the southwest monsoon.

Acting Director of the NDCU, Dr. Kapila Kannangara, warned that the hospital system was facing severe congestion due to the unprecedented influx of dengue patients.

“We are seeing an alarming increase in admissions. Hospitals are under tremendous pressure, and public cooperation is essential to bring the outbreak under control,” he said, announcing that a special one-week dengue control programme would be implemented across 11 high-risk districts.

Health authorities have identified 175 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) divisions as high-risk dengue zones. Public Health Inspectors will conduct inspections, eliminate mosquito breeding sites and initiate legal action against those maintaining mosquito-infested premises.

The Western Province continues to account for the largest share of infections, with Gampaha and Colombo among the worst-affected districts. Several hospitals are already operating beyond capacity as the number of admissions continues to climb.

Health officials attributed the surge to intermittent rains, poor waste disposal, stagnant water collections and inadequate community participation in vector control programmes.

The Ministry of Health has appealed to local authorities, schools, workplaces, religious institutions and households to inspect their premises regularly, clear blocked drains and roof gutters, cover water storage containers and remove discarded tyres, cans, bottles and other containers capable of collecting rainwater.

Medical experts urged the public not to ignore symptoms such as persistent fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, vomiting, abdominal pain and bleeding manifestations, stressing that early medical treatment is critical in preventing severe dengue and deaths.

Officials emphasised that eliminating mosquito breeding sites remains the single most effective way of controlling dengue, warning that unless communities actively participate, the outbreak could worsen during the ongoing rainy season.

With daily case numbers continuing to rise and hospitals struggling to cope, health authorities said the coming weeks would be crucial in determining whether the country can curb one of its worst dengue outbreaks in recent years.

By Ifham Nizam