The President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka has rejected allegations of impropriety, claiming he is facing a coordinated effort to undermine his credibility through false accusations.
Attorney-at-Law Rajeev Amarasuriya, who heads the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, has publicly refuted claims made in a complaint filed with the anti-corruption watchdog, asserting that the allegations are part of a deliberate smear campaign. In a statement posted online, Amarasuriya characterised the recent attacks against him as baseless and personal in nature, citing accusations regarding alleged secret dealings with the Opposition Leader.
According to Amarasuriya, the formal complaint relates to his legal representation of an authorised dealer for an automotive manufacturer in proceedings before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. He stressed that his involvement was purely professional, undertaken in his capacity as instructed counsel fulfilling his duties to his client. The complaint was reportedly initiated by the Vinivida Foundation, a fact made public by Nagananda Kodithuwakku.
Amarasuriya highlighted that Kodithuwakku himself had previously appeared in related proceedings but subsequently withdrew from legal practice after being removed from office by the Supreme Court. The BASL President contended that the complaint serves undisclosed purposes beyond the stated allegations, and warned that fabricating accusations to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption violates the Anti-Corruption Act.
Reaffirming his commitment to institutional integrity, Amarasuriya stated that such attacks would not deter him from maintaining independent positions and upholding the rule of law. His statement represents his first formal response to the allegations and represents a direct challenge to the credibility of the complaint filed against him.
