PORTRAIT OF NIMAL WIKRAMANAYAKE KC UNVEILED IN VICTORIAN BAR ASSOCIATION CHAMBERS
Ross Howie KC who unveiled the portrait.
A ceremony attended by many of the leading judges, silks, and lawyers of the Victorian Bar was held at the Bar Association’s Peter O’ Callaghan Gallery on 17 July 2023. It was presided over by the Chairperson of the Victorian Bar’s Arts and Collection committee Siobhan Ryan KC who called upon retired County Court Judge Ross Howie KC to unveil the portrait of Nimal Wikramanayake KC. Judge Howie spoke at length on Nimal’s legal career and the resolute manner in which he overcame obstacles on his way to the top of his profession. Nimal remains the only lawyer from an Asian background to be granted silk in Australia. He now enjoys the added distinction of being the only lawyer from an Asian background to have his portrait unveiled in the Bar Association Headquarters.
Nimal Wikramanayake KC comes from a family with a distinguished record in service in the law. His father the late EG Wikramanayake KC was a leading lawyer in Sri Lanka’s Courts. His father’s brother the late EB Wikramanayake KC was a Minister of Justice in the Sri Lanka Government and also well know for his legal acumen.
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Nimal and wife Anna Maria with Hugh Karunanayake at the unveiling ceremony
Nimal Wikramanayake in his response thanked the bar for the honour bestowed upon him and said that the unveiling of his portrait was a unique honour and was the proudest moment in his life. The unveiling was followed by a cocktail party.
