Exhibit 3(b)

                        [SUTHERLAND ASBILL & BRENNAN LLP]



STEPHEN E. ROTH
DIRECT LINE: 202.383.0158
Internet: sroth@sablaw.com



                               September 14, 2000


VIA EDGAR
- ---------

Board of Directors
GE Life and Annuity Assurance
  Company
6610 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23230

          Re:   GE Life & Annuity Separate Account II
                -------------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          We hereby consent to the reference to our name under the caption
"Legal Matters" in the Prospectus filed as part of the Pre-Effective Amendment
No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-6 filed by GE Life & Annuity
Separate Account II for certain flexible premium variable life insurance
contracts (File No. 333-40820).  In giving this consent, we do not admit that we
are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the
Securities Act of 1933.

                              Very truly yours,

                              SUTHERLAND ASBILL & BRENNAN LLP


                              By:  /s/Stephen E. Roth
                                   ------------------
                                      Stephen E. Roth