Sunday Times 2
‘I Was There’ : Former BASL president chronicles his journey
View(s):The autobiography of one-time President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) and head of the Bureau of Investment (BOI), Upul Jayasuriya PC was launched on Tuesday (Nov. 2) at te Cinnamon Grand Hotel amidst a distinguished gathering including former presidents, senior appellate court justices, senior lawyers and academics.
Mr Jayasuriya handing over the first copy of his autobiography to his teacher at Royal Primary School, Mr Siri Liyanage;
Titled ‘I WAS THERE’, the autobiography relates Mr Jayasuriya’s early life and his entry into public service soon after graduating from Law College and a stint at the Attorney General’s Department as Chairman of the State Trading (Tractor) Corporation under Trade Minister Lalith Athulathmudali. Mr. Jayasuriya was still in his twenties at the time.
political figures
Following a brief period as Counsel at the GCEC (Greater Colombo Economic Commission) under Upali Wijewardene, the precursor to the BOI, Mr Jayasuriya transitioned to become a director of several companies in the private sector while practising law. He won election to the BASL presidency during a period of heightened conflict between the unofficial Bar and the government of the day especially on human rights and rule of law issues and was in the forefront of the defence of the ousted Chief =Justice Shiranee Bandaranayake. The relentless campaign of the BASL saw her eventual return to the same office under a new administration. It was a major triumph for the BAS in ensuring the independence of the judiciary.
Senior justices