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Bar
won't be anybody's pawn: Desmond Mr. Fernando, a former BASL President and later the only Sri Lankan to become the International Bar Association (IBA) President won by a slim overall majority of 129 votes, thanks mainly to securing the crucial Colombo Bar with a majority of 120, in the face of a campaign that accused him of breaking with tradition by contesting an incumbent President mid-way in his customary two-year term. Thus Mr. Ikram Mohamed becomes the first incumbent President to have been defeated at an election of the BASL. Mr. Mohamed obtained 1,714 votes while his victorious opponent bagged 1,853. The third candidate R.R.S. Thangarajah secured 56 votes with 36 being obtained from the Colombo Bar. Ms. Anoma Gunathillake, BASL Secretary, was however, re-elected this year for a second term, uncontested. The defeated candidate won the following Bars:Kandy (62-88), Gampaha (41-75), Galle (32-39), Matara (36-37), Matale (6-8), Mannar (2-5), Hambantota (5-7), Anuradhapura (3-23), Badulla (5-27). Prominent Bars secured by Mr. Fernando secured were Colombo (1100-880), Kalutara (38-36), Kegalle (23-12), Kurunegala (40-33), Puttalam (3-5), Ratnapura (17-16), Trincomalee (10-4), Vavuniya (7-4) Moneragala (6-1), Batticaloa (14-5) and Tangalle (18-1). Mullaitivu had not released its results by yesterday while Polonnaruwa was a tie with 5 votes each. Mallakam was the only Bar where no polling had taken place. The number of registered members of the BASL was 6,483. The number of valid votes was 3,623. Out of 4,122 registered voters in Colombo 2,043 had cast their votes. Newly elected President Desmond Fernando told The Sunday Times that he will preserve the independence of the Bar Association and not allow the Bar to be used as a pawn by anyone, will safeguard the rights of the Bar, the legal profession and the judges. Mr. Fernando further said that the BASL will set up a hostel for lawyers who are new entrants to the profession for a period of two years. He said that the association will also demand a three fold increase in the salaries of judges. Solicitor General Mr. C. R. de Silva was the Returning Officer at the election. The Executive Committee of the Bar Association had earlier decided to have the Convocation to install the newly elected President on March 19 but is likely to change it to March 26, after much gripe from outstation Bars. It sat yesterday to decide on it. The Convocation which is much looked forward by the legal fraternity is usually attended by the Chief Justice. |
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