Bar Association of Sri Lanka rings bell at CSE to mark golden jubilee

Friday, 10 October 2025 04:57 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya

CSE CEO Rajeeva Bandaranaike

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) celebrated its Golden Jubilee year with a bell-ringing at the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) on 7 October 2025, symbolising the enduring partnership between the legal profession and the financial markets in driving Sri Lanka’s progress.

BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya reflected on the association’s fifty-year journey since the formal adoption of its constitution in November 1974 and the convening of its first Bar Council meeting in June 1975, when Dr. H. W. Jayewardene, QC, served as its first President. He emphasised the BASL’s historic and continuing role in safeguarding judicial independence, human rights, and the rule of law.

Amarasuriya observed that, “the rule of law and the rule of markets are inseparable,” noting that the CSE’s recent record performance reflects investor confidence built on institutional trust and legal certainty. He reminded that both institutions “carry the duty to see Sri Lanka advance to the status of a developed nation — one built on fairness, integrity, and opportunity.

CSE CEO Rajeeva Bandaranaike, lauded the Bar Association’s “enduring commitment to professionalism, integrity and upholding the rule of law” and noted that, “both institutions share a singular mission to uphold trust – trust in markets, trust in institutions, and trust in systems that power national growth.” He highlighted the critical role played by the legal profession in the growing capital market, and called for greater collaboration between the legal profession, the Colombo Stock Exchange, and the wider economy.

CSE Chairman Dimuthu Abeyesekera, and other members of CSE senior management represented the CSE, while BASL Secretary Chathura Galhena, members of the BASL Executive Committee and the legal profession represented the BASL.

The event concluded with the ceremonial ringing of the market-opening bell — a resonant symbol of unity between justice and development.

Pix by Lasantha Kumara