BASL President Addresses the High Court of Bhutan
By: Rashika hennayake
August 20, Colombo (LNW):
The President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka Mr. Rajeev Amarasuriya was invited to address the High Court of Bhutan during the historic first visit of a Bar Association of Sri Lanka Delegation to the Kingdom of Bhutan.
The Superior Bench of the High Court of Bhutan which Mr. Amarasuriya Addressed comprised 8 Justices presided by Chief Justice of the High Court His Lordship Justice Duba Drukpa and Justices, Lobzang Rinzin, Pasang Wangmo, Birkha Bdr. Tamang, Kinley Namgay, Phurba Dorji, and Gembo Tashi and Rinchen Penjor in attendance.
Welcoming the BASL delegation, the Honourable Chief Justice of the High Court of Bhutan stated that the High Court was honoured by their presence and described the visit as a valuable opportunity to strengthen the bonds between the legal communities of Bhutan and Sri Lanka and to exchange experiences in the administration of justice.
The Chief Justice observed that the Bench and the Bar are two branches of the same profession, united in the common pursuit of justice, and emphasised that justice is best served when the Bench and the Bar engage with mutual respect, professional integrity and a shared commitment to the Rule of Law.
A warm welcome was also extended to the Vice President of the Bar Council of Bhutan and former Justice of the Supreme Court of Bhutan, Dasho Rinzin Penjor, and the representatives of the Bar Council of Bhutan.
Addressing the Court, BASL President Mr. Rajeev Amarasuriya expressed the sincere appreciation of the BASL delegation for the extraordinary warmth, friendship and hospitality extended to them by the Judiciary and legal profession of Bhutan.
He observed that the visit marked an important new chapter in the relationship between the legal professions of Bhutan and Sri Lanka. Although the two countries had travelled along different historical and constitutional paths, they remained closely connected as South Asian nations, members of the SAARC community and countries of the Global South, with a profound shared spiritual and cultural heritage shaped by the teachings of the Buddha.
Referring to Bhutan’s remarkable constitutional journey and its philosophy of Gross National Happiness, Mr. Amarasuriya stated that Bhutan had reminded the international community that development must ultimately be about people. He noted that the same principle must guide the administration of justice:
“Courts do not exist merely to interpret statutes. Constitutions do not exist merely as impressive documents. And lawyers do not exist merely to argue cases. The entire system of justice exists to protect human dignity, resolve disputes peacefully, restrain the arbitrary exercise of power, protect rights, and ensure that every person who comes before the law can expect justice according to law.”
Speaking on the relationship between the Bench and the Bar, the BASL President emphasised that, while judges and lawyers perform different functions, they are partners in the common endeavour of administering justice. He stressed that judicial independence and the independence of the legal profession are not privileges belonging to judges or lawyers, but protections that ultimately belong to the people.
Mr. Amarasuriya also underlined the importance of meaningful and sustained cooperation between the two legal professions. He identified legal education, continuing professional development, opportunities for young lawyers, constitutional and public law, technology, court administration and institutional exchanges as areas in which Bhutan and Sri Lanka could collaborate and learn from one another.
Concluding his address, Mr. Amarasuriya stated:“The Himalayas and the Indian Ocean may separate Bhutan and Sri Lanka geographically. But today, as we sit together in this Court, we are reminded that the values which sustain justice recognise no such boundaries.”
He expressed the hope that the relationship between the legal professions of Bhutan and Sri Lanka would continue to grow as a living partnership founded upon friendship, mutual respect, learning and a shared commitment to the service of justice and the people.
The engagement at the High Court followed the historic first bilateral meeting between the Bar Association of Sri Lanka and the Bar Council of Bhutan. The two institutions affirmed their desire to strengthen cooperation and collaboration between their respective legal professions, guided by their shared commitment to justice, the Rule of Law, the administration of justice, professional integrity and the independence of the judiciary and the legal profession, which was reflected in a Joint Bar Statement.
The BASL Delegation also met with Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Bhutan Lyonpo Norbu Tshering, Attorney General Hon. Sonam Tashi and other Dignitaries during this visit.
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