Attorney-at- law Upul Jayasuriya was elected as the President of the Bar Association defeating Tirantha Walaliyadda by a thumping majority at the BASL elections held today, despite a low voter turnout.

Out of the 1912 votes counted at the time of writing Upul Jayasuriya received 1471 votes, while Tirantha Walaliyadda polled 330 votes.

Speaking to Daily Mirror on the eve of his victory, Jayasuriya said it was a mandate for the principles he stood for.

“It’s a mandate that has been given for what I stood for - the  integrity of the profession, the independence of the judiciary, protection of the rule of law, and the maintaining the dignity of the profession. I will unhesitantly stand by these principles and there shall be no compromise on these principles” Jayasuriya said.

Meanwhile Jayasuriya’s main rival Tirantha Walaliyadde while congratulating the new President of the BASL, said that he would give Jayasuriya any assistance that is required to carry out his duties.

“I respect the mandate given by the BASL and congratulate Mr. Jayasuirya on his victory; I spoke to him and told him that I would give him all the assistance required by him as the President of the BASL. However I’m still of my original view that the BASL that should have working relationship with the government, opposition, the Chief Justice and the Attorney General. I have that relationship. What I wanted to do was to re build the bridges that were broken down during the impeachment. Let us see how we progress from here” he said. ( By Hafeel Farisz)