BASL President Kaushalya Navaratne Accused of Fraud, Urged to Resign

News Today: Bar Association President Kaushalya Navaratne Accused of Fraud

The Bar Council of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has unanimously called for the resignation of BASL President Kaushalya Navaratne following an investigation into allegations of misconduct. The investigation, conducted by a five-member committee, found that Navaratne had acted without transparency in matters related to a contract between the BASL and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

According to the committee’s findings, Kaushalya Navaratne failed to uphold the trust vested in him as President of the BASL, particularly regarding the JICA contract. The committee stated that his actions were not in line with the ethical standards expected of his position, leading to a breach of trust within the organization.

As a result, the Bar Council has directed Navaratne to refrain from exercising the powers and functions of the BASL President until further notice. The council emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in leadership roles within the legal profession, stating that the President’s actions had damaged the reputation of the BASL.

In response to the situation, the Bar Council has appointed President’s Counsel Anura Meddegoda as the Deputy President of the BASL. Meddegoda succeeds Nalinda Indatissa PC, who resigned from his position. The council’s swift decision to elect a new Deputy President reflects its commitment to maintaining integrity and restoring public confidence in the association.

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka continues to call for Kaushalya Navaratne’s resignation, highlighting the importance of upholding ethical standards and transparency in legal practice.