The Private Dinner & The Legal Web: Connections That Raise Eyebrows, Ranil , Rajeev and Sanjeewa with Sanjay Gardner with Koch
By Legal Correspondents
A recent private dinner has become the talk of legal and political circles, bringing together key figures from Sri Lanka’s legal fraternity with former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and international personality Alston Koch. The event, which took place among a "handful of others," featured two notable attendees: Rajive Amerasekera, the President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), and Sanjeewa Jayawardena, a President’s Counsel.
While private dinners are common, the optics of this gathering are significant given the current political climate and the high-profile cases pending against the former regime.
The Connection:
· The Brothers-in-Law: Rajive Amerasekera and Sanjeewa Jayawardena are not just colleagues; they are brothers-in-law. Rajive is married to Sanjeewa Jayawardena’s sister, creating a strong familial bond between two of the most powerful lawyers in the country.
· The Client Base: Sanjeewa Jayawardena PC is known for representing a number of cases involving the Rajapaksa family and those aligned with that camp. His presence at a dinner with the former President raises questions about the influence of these personal relationships on the administration of justice.
The Monetary Board Question:
Adding another layer to this story is Sanjeewa Jayawardena’s appointment to the Monetary Board of the Central Bank. This appointment was made during the tenure of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. This connection to the previous administration, combined with his current work and family ties to the BASL President, suggests a complex web of influence that blurs the lines between the bar, the bench, and politics.
The Stakes:
There is a growing concern that the legal fraternity may be facing a "conflict of interest" as the courts begin to adjudicate high-profile fraud and criminal cases against the former regime. The argument is that a swift conclusion to these cases would cut the "money trees" that fill the coffers of lawyers involved in lengthy litigation.
Furthermore, the discussion around the extension of the retirement age for judges is seen as a pivotal battle. Many believe that attempts to change the retirement age are being driven by a desire to maintain the status quo and protect certain interests, rather than purely legal merit.
The Bottom Line:
For too long, many lawyers, clergy, and powerful figures in this country have appeared to operate above the law. The public perception is that a "private dinner" among the powerful often leads to "public decisions" that benefit a select few.
As Bob Dylan sang, "The Times They Are A-Changin'." The question remains whether Sri Lanka’s legal system will change with the times or remain entangled in the old guard's web of influence and privilege.