Tribute to seven distinguished members of Inner Bar

by Sarath Malalasekera

The Bench and Bar paid tribute to seven distinguished members of the Inner Bar, a ceremonial sitting of the Supreme Court.

Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva PC addressing the senior and junior members of the Official Bar, Unofficial Bar and the family members of the late distinguished members of the Inner Bar said "on behalf of the Bench I wish to associate myself with the respectful reference made to the memory of seven distinguished members of the Inner Bar whose demise we record today with gratitude and sadness.

They have all, in their respective ways, contributed much to the activity of the Bar and have served the profession with distinction and dedication.

The other Supreme Court Judges present were Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake, Justice Nihal Jayasinghe, Justice Shiranee Tillekewardena, Justice Nimal Gamini Amaratunga, Justice Andrew Somawansa and Justice Jagath Balapatabendi.

President of the Court of Appeal, other Judges of the Court of Appeal, High Court Judges, Colombo District Judge, the Additional District Judges and Colombo Chief Magistrate and Additional Magistrate were also present at the ceremonial sittings. Supreme Court Registrar Bandula Atapattu officiated.

The seven legal luminaries are former Attorney General K. C. Kamalasabeyson PC, Queen's Counsel Vernon Wijetunga, T. B. Dissanayake (PC), Paul Perera (PC), Upawansa Yapa (PC), Anil Obeysekere (PC) and Stanley Tillekeratne (PC). Attorney General, C. R. de Silva (PC) and Bar Association of Sri Lanka President, Nihal Jayamanne (PC) also spoke.