The President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), Rajeev Amarasuriya has addressed the High Court of Bhutan during the first-ever visit by a BASL delegation to the Kingdom of Bhutan.

The visit took place in Thimphu, with President Amarasuriya addressing the Superior Bench of the High Court, presided over by Chief Justice Justice Duba Drukpa.

Welcoming the delegation, the Chief Justice said the visit provided an important opportunity to strengthen ties between the legal communities of Bhutan and Sri Lanka and to exchange experiences in the administration of justice.

He stressed the importance of mutual respect, professional integrity and a shared commitment to the Rule of Law in the relationship between the Bench and the Bar.

Addressing the Court, BASL President Amarasuriya expressed appreciation for the warm welcome extended to the Sri Lankan delegation and described the visit as an important step in strengthening relations between the legal professions of the two countries.

He highlighted the shared links between Bhutan and Sri Lanka as South Asian nations, members of SAARC and countries with a common Buddhist heritage.

Referring to Bhutan’s constitutional development and its Gross National Happiness philosophy, the BASL President said the administration of justice must ultimately focus on protecting human dignity, rights and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

He also stressed that judicial independence and the independence of the legal profession are protections for the public, rather than privileges belonging to judges or lawyers.

Amarasuriya identified legal education, professional development, opportunities for young lawyers, constitutional and public law, technology, court administration and institutional exchanges as potential areas for closer cooperation between the two countries.

The High Court engagement followed the first bilateral meeting between the BASL and the Bar Council of Bhutan, where both institutions expressed their commitment to strengthening cooperation between their respective legal professions.

The two bodies also issued a Joint Bar Statement reaffirming their shared commitment to justice, the Rule of Law, professional integrity and the independence of the judiciary and legal profession.

During the visit, the BASL delegation also met Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Bhutan Lyonpo Norbu Tshering, Attorney General Sonam Tashi and other senior dignitaries.