Viran Corea

Here's the briefing of the 4 decisions taken at the Special General Meeting of the BASL on Feb 15, 2026, including for lawyers to withdraw from participating in court work on Feb 16, 2026 and calling upon law enforcement to apprehend the perpetrators forthwith for prosecution ⬇️

BASL ExCo has given notice of a Special General Meeting of the BASL membership on Sun, Feb 15, 2026 to consider steps in the aftermath of the assassination of Attorney-at-Law Buddhika Mallawarachchi and his wife on Feb 13, 2026. Notice ⬇️

BASL has written to the IGP over lawyers appearing for an accused being assaulted outside the Nugegoda court complex y'day by persons claiming to be aggrieved parties. Notes it's a dangerous precedent. Calls tor prompt action to ensure perpetrators are brought before court ⬇️

BASL letter to the President stresses the importance of appointing 3 civil society members of exemplary integrity, wide societal acceptance and ability to make vibrant contribution to fill the Constitutional Council vacancies arising in Jan 2026, after stakeholder consultation ⬇️

Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has advised judges to desist as far as possible from making adverse orders to the detriment of parties considering the ground situation, given difficulties of lawyers and the public due to flooding and adverse conditions caused by the weather ⬇️

BASL has stressed that judicial independence must be safeguarded and protected from any form of outside threat or interference sought to be effected via social media posts, statements, commentaries or purported case outcome predictions by YouTubers. Notes offences involved ⬇️

The "cab rank rule" requires barristers to accept any case in their field, at their usual rates, regardless of a client's identity or the case's nature, unless there’s a conflict of interest, lack of expertise, or other valid exceptions. UK Bar explains ⬇️ barcouncil.org.uk/resource/cab-r…

The pledge of the Chief Justice and Supreme Court judges of India not to accept any post-retirement roles from the government is an important commitment to due protection of judicial independence and public confidence. Sri Lanka would benefit from adoption of a similar standard.

BASL has stressed that police aren't entitled to ask lawyers to disclose information shared by clients, which is covered by "professional privilege" under law and by professional ethics. Sets out why lawyers mustn't be asked to give statements on clients' professional matters ⬇️

BASL has called for responsible discourse, respect for due process and preservation of dignity when commenting on judges' conduct, in view of speculative social media posts improperly targeting judges who by the nature of their office aren't in a position to respond publicly ⬇️

UK Supreme Ct has upheld that the terms “man”, “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 refer to biological sex of a person at birth and not any acquired by trans folk through Gender Recognition Certificates under the Gender Recognition Act 2004. Press summary of judgment ⬇️

The Court Reporter reports how two ex-officio Judicial Service Commission (JSC) members anonymously visited the Marawila Magistrate's Court due to allegations and complaints received against the judge to observe relevant conduct and initiated action ⬇️ thecourtreporter.lk/two-sc-judges-…

A wonderful Thomian victory indeed! But to be respected, is the bold, sporting declaration of Royal College to enable the game to have a chance of an outcome. Royal's captain too, acted in line with the exemplary heritage that's part of the Royal-Thomian. No real losers here.

BASL statement calls inter alia, for ▪︎ An immediate impartial inquiry on how 2 persons were killed at the hands of police and taking of all measures to prevent recurrence of such encounter killings and custodial deaths ▪︎ Strict action against all officers responsible ⬇️

AG's dept media release addresses misinformation on discharge of 3 suspects linked to Lasantha Wickrematunga's killing, stating inter alia, that the discharge ▪︎ Didn't pertain to the murder, but an alleged abduction 6 years after ▪︎ No bar to charges on fresh evidence ⬇️

BASL letter to Prez on reports of govt plans to review AG's decision to discharge 3 suspects in alleged abduction linked to Lasantha Wickrematunga's murder, stresses that AG must exercise prosecutorial independence, with decisions subject to judicial review but not govt review ⬇️

Warden Rev @MarcBillimoria of S. Thomas' College, Mt Lavinia highlights here, the need to take on, address and change the prevalent harmful attitude of adults to sporting "achievements" in schools. Watch from 41'50" to 58'10" (Speech begins at 34'20") ⬇️ youtube.com/live/9zzkzyUmA…

A legacy assessment of retiring Indian CJ Chandrachud, stresses that ▪︎ Judicial balancing under the guise of judicial independence is judicial blemish ▪︎ Cos miscarriages of justice in some cases can't be offset by the justice delivered in others ⬇️ livelaw.in/articles/the-m…

Mahathma Gandhi, the 'Father of India', visited Chilaw in Nov 1927 on his first and only visit to Ceylon, at the invitation of freedom fighters Charles Edgar Corea & Victor Corea (brothers). Here's an interesting documentary on several aspects of Chilaw. youtu.be/tAvSHFhd4Dc?si…

Gutted to read this from Radhya's parents. A section of society, including some parents & teachers, not only drove this child to her death but, tragically, after her death, media & content creators further trampled this girl & her family. I hope we learn from this. #LKA #SriLanka