Colombo (LNW): The National Law Week kicked off with its inaugural ceremony at the Supreme Court complex on Thursday (28), under the patronage of Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya and Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe.
This annual event, spearheaded by the Sri Lanka Bar Association (BASL), is dedicated to enlightening the public about legal matters.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Rajapakshe acknowledged that the idea of National Law Week was the brainchild of former Judge C.J. Weeramanthri in 2006. Its goal was to reshape prevailing misconceptions surrounding the legal sector in Sri Lanka, he noted.
Rajapakshe emphasised the importance of legal awareness in a democratic society and highlighted the Legal Aid Commission’s initiative to offer pro bono legal services for those with limited financial means, a program endorsed by the European Union, Asia Foundation, UNICEF, and UNDP.
Past economic adversities in Sri Lanka stemmed from a breakdown in the rule of law, the Minister went on, adding that given this context, the significance of initiatives like the National Law Week, especially for those affected by economic downturns must be addressed.
Rajapakshe ensured the government’s full backing to promote legal awareness among the masses.
Various dignitaries shared their insights during the ceremony, including the BASL President Kaushalya Navaratne, its Secretary Isuru Balapatabadi, and UNDP’s Sri Lanka Resident Representative, Azusa Kubota.
This year’s National Law Week, organised by the Ministry of Justice and the BASL with the backing of international organisations, encompasses legal clinics on September 29th and extends to a series of programs across all 25 districts from September 25th to October 1st.
