Gowry Shangary Thavarasha, Attorney-at-Law our friend who fearlessly took up difficult causes of clients over several decades often standing up to the might of the State, is no more. She was a brave lady fighting tooth and nail for her clients.

On a day in January 1997 a few days after I left the AG’s Department, I received a call. The caller said she was Mrs. Thavarasa and that Mr.Ameen had told her that I had left the Department and to send me work. She retained me to appear for a surety in the High Court who was to be remanded by a furious judge since the accused had decamped. I appeared for the surety and was able to spare him from remand. From that day on she would retain me for many cases supporting me to build up my practice. Through Gowry we came to know Thava.

Gowry had friends in the highest of places. Yet she would go out of her way to help those from whom she had nothing to expect. When her friends were down and out, she was there for them. I have seen the commitment with which she handled matters for people not when they were in office but when they were out of office and fallen.

She would appear for difficult and sometimes even controversial causes. She stood up for people who were downtrodden some of whom were detained for a long time. Once retained she went all out for her client leaving no stone unturned.

She was the instructing Attorney in many human rights cases including the cases challenging the death penalty devoting her time and resources for these cases.

Her loss will be felt at Hulftsdorp

Our deepest sympathies to our friend K.V.Thavarasa PC.

Saliya Pieris P.C.
President of Bar Association of Sri Lanka