Feb 20, Colombo: The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has elected senior attorney and former secretary Upul Jayasuriya today as the new President of the Association.

Attorney Upul Jayasuriya received a majority of over 1,700 votes following the election held Wednesday by the Association to appoint the office bearers.

Around 11,000 members of the Bar Association island wide were qualified to vote at the election.

President's Counsel Tirantha Walaliyadda, an expert on criminal law, Jayasuriya, expert on human rights and Counsel R.R.S. Thangaraja contested for the post.

Incumbent President of BASL, parliamentarian and President's Counsel Wijedasa Rajapakshe, announced that he would not seek re-election when his term ends next month.

Counsel Sanjaya Gamage was elected to the position of secretary of the BASL unopposed.