BASL President rejects bribery complaint, alleges malicious campaign

President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), Attorney-at-Law Rajeev Amarasuriya has rejected allegations made against him following a complaint reportedly lodged with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), describing the claims as false and malicious.

In a social media statement, Amarasuriya said he had been subjected to a series of “baseless personal attacks” in recent weeks, including allegations that he had entered into a secret agreement with Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa.

He also referred to a public claim by Nagananda Kodithuwakku that the Vinivida Foundation had lodged a complaint against him with CIABOC.

According to Amarasuriya, the complaint relates to his appearance, alongside several President’s Counsel, on behalf of the authorised dealer of a motor vehicle manufacturer in proceedings before the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

Amarasuriya said he had acted solely in his professional capacity as counsel instructed to represent his client before the courts.

He further noted that Kodithuwakku had also appeared in some of the earlier proceedings on behalf of a respondent and an intervening petitioner, but had ceased doing so after being removed from the office of Attorney-at-Law by the Supreme Court.

Rejecting the allegations, Amarasuriya said they were intended to serve “collateral purposes” and stressed that knowingly making false allegations to CIABOC constitutes an offence under Section 119 of the Anti-Corruption Act.

He maintained that personal attacks would not deter him from taking principled positions, speaking independently and defending institutions and the rule of law. (Newswire)

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