The BASL Leadership and the Call for Financial Scrutiny: A Taxpayer's Demand
In recent months, the leadership of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has been at the forefront of national discourse, championing judicial independence and the rule of law . However, a growing chorus of Sri Lankan taxpayers is now demanding that the spotlight be turned on the very individuals who lead this powerful legal body. With the NPP government focused on transparency and good governance, the call to scrutinize the financial affairs of BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya, his brother-in-law Sanjeewa Jayawardena PC, and the broader legal profession has become a pressing national issue.
The Case for Taxpayer Scrutiny
Sri Lankan taxpayers are increasingly questioning how individuals in high-profile legal positions can afford lavish lifestyles on declared official incomes. The core demand is simple: every citizen, regardless of their professional standing, should be subject to thorough tax scrutiny. For BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya, taxpayers are requesting the Sri Lankan tax authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation into his source of income and any undeclared foreign assets, particularly in financial hubs like Singapore or the Middle East. The question on many lips is how his lifestyle is financed if his income is not fully declared.
The focus is not solely on Amarasuriya. Attention has also turned to his brother-in-law, Sanjeewa Jayawardena PC, who is recognized as a leading lawyer in Sri Lanka . Jayawardena has had a distinguished career, including serving as a member of the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and as a Commissioner of the Law Commission . However, in the current climate, taxpayers are eager to know if the bank accounts or assets of such public figures, potentially held in Dubai or Singapore, correlate with their declared financial standings.
Beyond the Individuals: A Call for Systemic Reform
This demand for financial transparency goes beyond the individuals currently leading the BASL. Many citizens believe that every lawyer should be required to undergo rigorous tax scrutiny. The argument is straightforward: if the average citizen is subject to strict tax laws and financial declarations, the same standards should apply to those who interpret and advocate for these very laws. The legal fraternity should be an exemplar of financial transparency.
Furthermore, there is a growing sentiment that the legal profession should be subject to a mandatory retirement age of 60. This mirrors calls for retirement age limits in other sectors, including the judiciary, and is seen as a way to ensure a dynamic and accountable legal system . The argument is that such a rule would prevent the accumulation of untouchable influence and allow for the regular infusion of new talent and perspectives.
The NPP Government's Role
The National People's Power (NPP) government, which has positioned itself as a champion of anti-corruption and transparency, is perfectly placed to lead this charge. The government must act on the demands of the taxpayers. The information the public seeks includes bank statements and details of any foreign assets linked to these individuals. The government has the mandate and the institutional power to compel such disclosures or to facilitate a thorough investigation by the Inland Revenue Department.
The recently established Tax Crime Investigation Unit, which works in collaboration with the Attorney General’s Department and other agencies, shows that the state has the mechanisms to pursue these cases . The public must be assured that these mechanisms will be applied fairly and firmly.
The call for a financial investigation into the BASL President and his relatives is not a partisan attack but a fundamental demand for accountability. It is a test of the NPP government's commitment to its own principles of transparency and equality before the law. Sri Lankan taxpayers are right to demand that every citizen, especially those in positions of public influence, be subject to the same rules of financial disclosure and tax compliance. The legal profession must be seen to be above reproach, and the government must act to ensure that the public's trust in the rule of law is not just a promise, but a reality.