Rajeev Amarasuriya vehemently rejects allegations

President of Bar Association of Sri Lanka Rajeev Amarasuriya completely rejects unfounded personal attacks and false allegations levelled against him over the past few weeks

Unfounded personal attacks and false allegations levelled against him over the past few weeks are completely rejected, President's Counsel Rajeev Amarasuriya stated in a social media post.

Amarasuriya said this in response to statements published stating that 'Vinivida Foundation' of Nagananda Kodituwakku, filed a complaint against him with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

Nagananda Kodituwakku was disbarred from the legal profession by the Supreme Court on February 29, 2024 due to breach of professional discipline.

Amarasuriya points out that this false complaint was submitted regarding court proceedings before the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court where he appears together with several President's Counsel on behalf of the authorised dealer of a motor vehicle manufacturer.

As an attorney at law duly instructed to represent a client before court, he emphasises that he appeared solely to fulfil his professional responsibility and duty.

He recalls that Nagananda Kodituwakku also appeared on behalf of a party in certain previous court proceedings, however, such appearances stopped after he was disbarred from the legal profession by the Supreme Court.

Amarasuriya points out that these allegations are completely malicious and submitted to achieve other motives, and if a complaint containing knowingly false allegations was submitted, criminal punishments as well as legal provisions to grant compensation to the falsely accused person exist under Section 119 of the Anti-Corruption Act against it.

He further stated that he was never discouraged in the face of personal attacks, and will continue to dedicatedly fulfil his professional responsibilities while standing on principled positions and safeguarding the rule of law.

 His note as follows:

"Over the past few weeks, I have been subjected to a series of unfounded personal attacks.

First, an allegation was levelled that I entered into a secret agreement with the Opposition Leader.

Now, Nagananda Kodituwakku, who was found guilty over a breach of professional discipline and disbarred from the legal profession by the Supreme Court on February 29, 2024, publicly stated that a complaint regarding me was submitted to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption by his Vinivida Foundation.

According to the statement published by him via social media, that complaint relates to matters in court proceedings before the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court where I appeared and continue to appear on behalf of the authorised dealer of a motor vehicle manufacturer in Sri Lanka.

The true facts are very simple.

As an attorney at law duly instructed to represent my client before court, I appeared solely to fulfil my professional responsibility.

Nagananda Kodituwakku also previously appeared on behalf of a respondent and an intervening petitioner in certain court proceedings. However, such appearances stopped after he was disbarred from the legal profession by the Supreme Court.

I strongly reject the allegations submitted regarding me. They are false, malicious, and in my view, allegations submitted to achieve other motives.

Indeed, if a complaint containing knowingly false allegations was submitted, the law itself provides the answer. According to Section 119 of the Anti-Corruption Act, submitting knowingly false allegations to the Commission is an offence, and provisions for criminal punishments as well as granting compensation to the falsely accused person are contained in that Act.

I was never discouraged by personal attacks. Will not be so in the future either.

When standing firm on principled positions, expressing views independently, and remaining prepared to safeguard institutions and the rule of law, criticism directed is inevitable. That is a natural part of public life.

What is important is focusing on the truth, continuing to fulfil one's professional responsibilities faithfully and honestly, and letting facts speak for themselves.

An old saying reminds thus: “The tallest tree catches the most wind.”