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BASL will review legislation and recommend law reforms says new President, Kalinga
Kalinga Indatissa
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) will review all existing Legislation and make necessary recommendations for Law reforms in the near future, said the newly elected President of the BASL Kalinga Indatissa P.C.
“I believe that, this is a duty we owe to the Legal system and to the people” Mr Indatissa said, speaking at his induction ceremony as the 25th President of the BASL.
He pointed out that measures would be taken to this effect, as there have been several complaints against the outdated Laws of the country.
Mr. Indatissa also said the BASL would take the initiative to restore and preserve the Supreme Court building, if the authorities concerned ignore their duty to restore and protect same.
“A few months ago, the future of this dilapidated building became evident to both, the members of the Bar and the Bench, when the ceiling of the District Court collapsed,” Mr Indatissa said.
Speaking further, he pointed out that an “independent Judiciary and a fearless Bar” are vital to act against any form of negative interference and revolution that would create an unfavourable environment in the country.
‘Public confidence’ of the Judicial system and the Legal profession is an extremely important aspect in modern times,” Mr Indatissa noted.
He added that cumbersome procedures, absence of uniformity in procedure, inordinate delays, and denial of access to justice due to economic reasons, could attract negative responses from the public.
The newly elected BASL President also pointed out that the Bench and the Bar must work in unison, as the “impairment of one inevitably affects the other”.
“While appreciating the fact that no system is perfect and that, constructive criticism is important to identify the loopholes in any such system, unfair, unreasonable and unjustifiable criticism should not be condoned either by the Bench or by the Bar,” he stressed.
He said the Bench and the Bar have not received the attention they deserve during certain occasions in the recent past.
The BASL President then said that every Lawyer must fulfil certain duties towards clients, opposing Counsel, and even the Court.
These duties, he said, included respect, courtesy, honesty, proper professional conduct and the display of professional skill and competence.
He said that, the BASL, with the assistance of technology, will introduce many programmes to facilitate knowledge sharing and enhancing the professional development of the members of the Bar.
He also called on the Bench to identify the root causes and make an effort to “eradicate delays” in delivering justice.
On the same lines, he added that hurrying justice too, was not certainly a solution to this issue.
“As much as justice delayed may amount to justice denied, justice hurried could result in justice buried,” Mr Indatissa observed.
Commenting on the large numbers passing out to the Bar, the BASL President said it is necessary to ensure that Lawyers are fully equipped to demonstrate their professional skills and competence, in order to ensure the standards of the Legal profession.
Chief Justice Nalin Perera, Court of Appeal President Yasantha Kodagoda, P.C. and Attorney General Jayantha Jayasuriya P.C. also spoke.