– The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has clarified that it neither authorized any Attorney-at-Law to make representations on its behalf nor decided to intervene on behalf of Attorney-at-Law Rakitha Rajapakshe during yesterday’s proceedings before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.The clarification was issued following certain media reports claiming that the BASL had made representations during court proceedings on Thursday (25) in relation to Rakitha Rajapakshe, who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

In a statement, the BASL said the Executive Committee had not authorized any Attorney-at-Law to make submissions on behalf of the Association during the proceedings, nor had it taken any decision to represent the arrested lawyer.The BASL further explained that, in matters involving its members, its role has been limited to observing the relevant court proceedings concerning an Attorney-at-Law and reporting the developments to the Association for any further action deemed necessary.