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Private Bar and Legal Academia interact at Law Faculty Diamond Jubilee
The Faculty of Law convened a “Dialogue between the Private Bar and Legal Academia” on the February 9. 2023 as a part of the ongoing celebrations to mark its Diamond Jubilee. Members of the private bar and law academics were welcomed to the event by the Dean of the Law Faculty, Prof (Dr) Sampath Punchihewa. In his remarks, Prof Punchihewa highlighted the commitment of the Faculty to strengthen the relationship between legal academia and the bar. He further recalled that a dynamic partnership with the bar is essential to the Faculty of Law in fulfilling its mandate.
The Dialogue consisted of two panel discussions. The first was chaired by Prof Naazima Kamardeen and explored the relationship between the private bar and legal academia from a South Asian Perspective. Dr Saif Mahmood, an advocate of the Supreme Court of India and a visiting researcher at the University of Oxford, delivered the keynote address. Speaking from the perspective of a practitioner, he noted that “[We] will both have to give up [our] imperiousness” and engage in a more holistic approach towards strengthening the more common legal language between the private bar and academia and reduce the gap between academic perspectives and practical application of the law.
Emeritus Prof Savitri Goonesekere, in her response, took the view that an effective academic legal education brings together the theoretical and the practical. She emphasised that academics of the modern day need to identify that the “ethos” for both academics and practitioners needs to be the same while keeping the Constitution and constitutional values as the bedrock of legal education – be it at the academic’s desk or at the practitioner’s table.
The President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, Mr Saliya Pieris PC, took the view that there is a gap between legal academia and practice today. He further reflected on the need to provide law students with more opportunities to gain experience and exposure to litigation and work done in furtherance of the administration of justice. Mr Pieris emphasised that in all these efforts, it is essential to focus on the human element. He observed that there are instances in which practitioners lose the humane outlook on their work.
The second panel focused on insights and the way forward with regards to the relationship between the private bar and academia. It was chaired by Mr Geoffrey Alagaratnam PC, a Faculty Board member of the Faculty of Law and a former president of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka. Speaking as a discussant at this panel, Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Yasantha Kodagoda PC observed that administration of justice in Sri Lanka can be improved further if leading law academics could join the appellate judiciary.
Justice Kodagoda welcomed the critical review of jurisprudence by academics and made several other recommendations for strengthening the relationship between the private bar and legal academia. Emeritus Prof Sharya Scharenguivel approached the issue from a slightly different angle. She cited Prof Nadarajah, former Dean of the Faculty of Law, who had stated that legal education cannot fulfil its function without the support of the legal profession. She traced and recalled Sri Lanka’s legacy of an effective harmony between the private bar and legal academia. President elect of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, Mr Kaushalya Navaratne, observed that students see a gap between what they learn and what they see in courts.
He recommended setting up programs to bridge the gap between the bar and academia for the betterment of the legal profession and the administration of justice. The panel agreed on the fact that while academic disagreement is healthy, it should be performed with professionalism, on a rational basis and with courtesy. It was also agreed that ensuring continuity and collaborative programs to foster the relationship between the bar and academia with “clear, reasonable, dignified critique” is important. The panel further noted the prospects for law academics to contribute to alternative methods of dispute resolution such as mediation, arbitration and conciliation.
A dynamic discussion followed. Several key issues were raised and discussed including the question of medium of instruction in legal education, systematic and collaborative review of jurisprudence and institutional linkages between legal academia and the private bar. In concluding the Dialogue, Prof Dinesha Samararatne observed that a legal system, its institutions and stakeholders constitute an ecosystem, and that this ecosystem will function effectively only if each professional – be it an academic or a practicing lawyer – fulfils their mandate and contributes meaningfully to the administration of justice.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
