Major W. W. M. L. S. Palipana vs Wasantha Wijewardane, Attorney-at-Law – SC Rule 12/2023-2023

In the matter of Major W. W. M. L. S. Palipana and Attorney-at-Law Wasantha Wijewardane, the court addressed the issue of professional misconduct by an attorney. The court held that the respondent’s failure to diligently pursue a client’s case, delay in refunding fees, misplacement of documents, and overall deceitful conduct constituted a breach of professional ethics, leading to removal from the Roll of Attorneys-at-Law. This decision reaffirmed the principle that attorneys hold a solemn public trust and their actions must be compatible with the dignity of the legal profession. This decision relied on Section 42(2) of the Judicature Act No. 2 of 1978 and Supreme Court (Conduct and Etiquette for Attorneys-at-Law) Rules, emphasizing that reprehensible conduct is incompatible with the legal