5-member committee to inquire into BASL fiasco over JICA funds

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) on Saturday appointed a five-member committee comprising Dr. Kanag Isvaran PC, Dr. Faisz Musthapha PC, Rienzie Arsekuleratne PC, Ikram Mohamed PC, and Geoff Alagaratnam PC to inquire into the matter concerning funds received from JICA.

The move follows allegations of misappropriation of funds amounting to Rs. 21 million received from JICA for a study on bribery and corruption. Over Rs. 19 million had been divided among several members and they had not obtained approval from the BASL or the Executive Committee for the study.

BASL at the Saturday meeting also rejected the April accounts. It called upon all those who received funds to voluntarily return the money to BASL.