• To also take action against ‘reputational damage’

Claiming that the recent 'observation' made by a five-member committee that he, as the President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), has not been transparent in entering into some agreements pertaining to dealings with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is not an opinion based on which one can demand that he step down, the BASL President, President's Counsel Kaushalya Nawarathne said however that he would decide whether to continue in the role or tender his resignation before 13 September.

There have been calls from the BASL for him to resign as the BASL President, following a report compiled by a five-member committee detailing dealings with the JICA.

When queried by The Daily Morning as to whether he would continue as the BASL President, Nawarathne said that the opinion expressed by the said committee is not an opinion based on which one can demand his resignation. "There is no wrongdoing on the part of me or my team. It is just that there is a small group of people who want to see that I am out of office for their personal reasons and other hidden agendas. They have narrated a story to the public that I have been involved in the misappropriation of funds. Then, the people will not have any trust and confidence in me. It is not something that will be harmful to me personally, but, it will also bring somewhat of a disrepute to the entire BASL and the legal profession. This concern is now being looked into by the same committee. I will decide whether I should continue as the BASL President or tender my resignation, given the circumstances, before 13 September". 

He also said that he would consider taking appropriate action with regard to what he claimed was the reputational damage caused to him in the recent past. "What has been narrated to the public thus far is one side of the story. During the past month or month and a half, various statements have been made making various allegations against me on financial fraud and the misappropriation of funds and so many things. This wrongful narration has really damaged my reputation personally." Commenting on the action that he would consider with regard to it, Nawarathne said: "I will definitely consider taking some action over the reputational damage caused to me. That is a decision that will be taken by my team of lawyers. However, I will not do anything that will have an adverse impact on the BASL and the legal profession."

An investigation carried out by a five-member committee appointed by the BASL concluded last month (August) that Nawarathne had not maintained transparency with regard to contractual arrangements and the selection of resource persons pertaining to the said programme involving the JICA, which has led to a lack of trust. He has denied any wrongdoing, describing the accusations as politically motivated attempts to remove him as the BASL President.