BASL President delivers historic address at Supreme Court of India

Attorney-at-Law Rajeev Amarasuriya, the President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), gave a significant speech at the Supreme Court of India. This event was part of a visit by Sri Lankan lawyers, invited by the Bar Association of India. The Supreme Court of India was led by Chief Justice Honourable Surya Kant, along with Honourable Justices R. Mahadevan and Joymalya Bagchi. The Chief Justice welcomed the Sri Lankan delegation warmly and reminisced about his visit to Colombo in August of the previous year, according to a statement from the BASL. Present at the event were India's Attorney General Hon. R. Venkataramani, Solicitor General Hon. Thushar Mehta, Bar Association of India President Mr. Prashant Kumar, and the President of the Supreme Court Advocates Association, all ready to greet the Sri Lankan group. In his speech, BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya conveyed best wishes from Sri Lanka's legal community and remarked that this moment was a key and historic point in the relationship between the Bars of Sri Lanka and India. He emphasized the long-standing historical, cultural, and legal connections between the two nations. He pointed out that their relationship has been influenced by shared constitutional traditions, a common legal background, and a joint dedication to the rule of law, judicial independence, and democratic governance. He also remembered the Chief Justice of India's visit to Sri Lanka on 23 October of the previous year, during which the Chief Justice gave the inaugural BASL Human Rights Oration and the keynote speech at the BASL National Law Conference. The BASL President further reflected on the deep civilizational ties between Sri Lanka and India, recalling the historic mission of Arahat Mahinda Thero, who introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka over 2,000 years ago. He noted the lasting cultural and philosophical connections that continue to bind the two countries, as stated in the announcement. Mr. Rajeev Amarasuriya expressed gratitude to the Bar Association of India for organizing the event and enabling this important interaction between the legal communities of both nations.