Friendship Agreement Signed with the Bar Association of Sri Lanka

September 2014

On July 11, the American Bar Association (ABA) and the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) signed a historic Friendship Agreement to underscore both associations’ commitment to and collaboration on promoting the rule of law. The agreement outlines how the bars will share legal expertise and support reciprocal participation at ABA & BASL Annual Meetings. The motivation for codifying the agreement was stressed in the text of the agreement, which says, “It is our hope that this agreement will provide a framework through which we can deepen the mutual knowledge and understanding of our professions and professional bodies and continue to develop a positive and mutually beneficial relationship.”

In February 2015, a delegation of BASL lawyers will attend the ABA Midyear Meeting in Houston, Texas. The participants, selected for their professional background and their interest in collaborating with the ABA, will spend their visit learning more about the American legal system, speaking with American lawyers about best practices within the United States legal system and participating in ABA continuing legal education programs.

The Friendship Agreement also lays the groundwork for providing technical assistance to the legal profession in Sri Lanka, including by collaborating with the country’s provincial bars. While currently agreed upon for a two-year period, the agreement widens prospects for a positive, long-term relationship between lawyers from the United States and those from Sri Lanka.  

To learn more about our work in Sri Lanka, contact the ABA Rule of Law Initiative at rol@americanbar.org