While the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) finds itself embroiled in controversy following allegations of the misappropriation of funds given by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Sri Lanka Women Lawyers' Association (SLWLA) is awaiting the report of an expert committee appointed to investigate the matter before taking a stance.

Following the controversy, the BASL’s Bar Council appointed a five-member committee of inquiry composed of President’s Counsels (PCs) K. Kanag-Isvaran, Faisz Musthapha, Ikram Mohamed, Rienzie Arsekularatne, and Geoffrey Alagaratnam to look into certain aspects of the allegations pertaining to the BASL project funded by the JICA relating to the promotion of a transparent and competitive business climate (anti-corruption) in Sri Lanka.

Against this backdrop, when contacted by The Daily Morning yesterday (6), SLWLA President, senior instructing attorney Shiranthi Gunawardena, emphasised the need for a thorough investigation and stated that the SLWLA is awaiting the outcomes of the said committee to take a stance. She refrained from commenting further, citing the ongoing investigations as a reason for discretion, asserting: “It is not appropriate.”

Recently, a media report alleged that certain members of the BASL had misappropriated a portion of a grant provided by the JICA to conduct a survey and workshops on combating bribery and corruption in Sri Lanka. Those reports alleged that five members of the BASL, including its President (there is now a different Acting President) Kaushalya Nawaratne PC had misappropriated a sum of Rs. 19 million out of the Rs. 21 million provided for the said purpose. Subsequently, many in the legal fraternity and civil society, including the Colombo Law Society, demanded the resignation of BASL officers who are allegedly involved in the said matter.

When contacted earlier last week, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) said that no investigation had been initiated regarding the matter at the time. Yet, several attempts made yesterday to get an update on the situation from the CIABOC Chairperson, retired Justice Neil Iddawela, and its Director General Kanishka Wijeratne, proved futile.

Justice Minister, Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe PC, was also unavailable for comment.