BASL President Terms Judicial Reforms as “Loss of Democracy”: A Breakdown of Legal Actions and Ongoing Investigations

The President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), Rajeev Amarasuriya, has described the implementation of comprehensive judicial system reforms as a loss of democracy, a stance echoed by fragmented opposition groups who claim these moves amount to political vendetta.

However, investigations and legal proceedings currently moving forward involve high-profile financial and criminal cases that were allegedly suppressed using political power during the Rajapaksa administration as well as between 2015 and 2019. These actions are now being labeled as political retaliation and democratic suppression by opposition factions.

Convictions Following Fair Trials

Several prominent figures have already been sentenced by the courts following formal legal proceedings:

Mahindananda Aluthgamage

Nalin Fernando

S. M. Ranjith

Shashi Weerawansa

Shanthini Chandrasena

Sarana Gunawardena

Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero

Hemasiri Fernando

Pujith Jayasundara

Individuals Currently Under Investigation

Active investigations are presently underway regarding several high-profile individuals, including:

Gotabaya Rajapaksa

Ranil Wickremesinghe

Namal Rajapaksa

Shiranthi Rajapaksa

Yoshitha Rajapaksa

Basil Rajapaksa

Shasheendra Rajapaksa

Shameendra Rajapaksa

Suresh Sallay

Sivanesathurai Santhirakanthan (Pillayan)

Keheliya Rambukwella and family members

Johnston Fernando and his son

Prasanna Ranatunga

Prasanna Ranaweera

Duminda Dissanayake

Premalal Jayasekara (“Choka Malli”)

Tissa Kuttiarachchi

Chamara Sampath Dassanayake

Akila Viraj Kariyawasam

Sugeeshwara Bandara, alongside several others.

Contempt of Court Legal Actions

Furthermore, legal action for contempt of court has been initiated against Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila, Dilith Jayaweera, and Mahinda Pathirana.

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