Rienzie Arseculeratne declares candidacy for BASL Presidency
President’s Counsel Rienzie Arseculeratne, currently Deputy President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), has agreed to seek election as its President for 2027/28, following appeals from senior and junior members of the legal profession. The incumbent, Attorney-at-Law Rajeev Amarasuriya, who secured a second term unopposed for 2026/27, is due to step down next […]
Rienzie Arseculeratne, currently serving as Deputy President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), has announced his intention to run for the presidency of the organization for the 2027/28 term. This decision comes in response to requests from both senior and junior members of the legal community. The current president, Attorney-at-Law Rajeev Amarasuriya, who was re-elected unopposed for the 2026/27 term, is scheduled to relinquish his position next year.
Arseculeratne's decision to pursue the presidency is supported by his wealth of experience in both public service and private practice. He spent nearly three decades in the Attorney General's Department, eventually rising to the position of Additional Solicitor General and head of its Criminal Division. In 1998, he was appointed as a President's Counsel, a title he held until his retirement from state service in 2003.
Post-retirement, he continued his legal practice, specializing in criminal and public law. Additionally, he held the role of Chairman at Hatton National Bank PLC from 2015 to 2018.
His supporters believe that Arseculeratne's professional standing, extensive experience, and leadership within the Bar will be instrumental in guiding the Association, all while preserving its unity and independence. They also highlight his commitment to the interests and professional advancement of junior lawyers, making him a strong candidate for the role.
Written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
