Sri Lanka Bar Association (BASL) eleciton sunk to a new low wth a number of lawyers receiving SMSs slinging mud at Saliya Peiris, one of the key contenders for the top post of the body.

The messages were generated as part of a paid campaign against the senior lawyer ahead of the hotly-contested election.

Many lawyers expressed their disappointment with the mud-slinging campaign on social media and unequivocally condemned the move.

It is widely believed that a group backing another prominent candidate contesting for the same post at the BASL election was behind the campaign.

The BASL's election campaign this year is characterized by "toxic and vicious" campaign tactics against key contenders, making it one of the worst elections in the history of the organizations.

The BASL is the apex professional body of lawyers in Sri Lanka and it is bound to uphold the dignity and the integrity of the profession.