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Lawyers for a larger cause
Sisters-at-Law, the free legal service supporting survivors of domestic and gender-based violence marks three years of yeoman silent service this month. Its founder Marini de Livera recaps its journey while urging more women lawyers to become change-makers.
by Randima Attygalle
“I have realized more and more that the right to access justice is a privilege enjoyed by the rich and the affluent of our society. Law is something that is discussed by the elite in air-conditioned offices and never reaches out to the communities. The poor and the down-trodden have no one to advise them when facing oppression and injustice. The Law is beyond their reach,” observes human rights lawyer Marini de Livera, the founder and the Chairperson of Sisters-at-Law, a free legal service supporting survivors of domestic and gender-based violence. De Livera’s efforts have been honoured with Commonwealth Points of Light Award in 2020 and Women of 
Courage (2019) from the US Department of State.
This former Chairperson of the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) remarks that to bring about change, social justice and make the country and the world a happier place, there is no need to hold a top Government position or be highly connected. All that’s needed is “imagination, a vast amount of energy and unlimited passion.” As a legal academic De Livera saw the futility of Human Rights education within the confines of a classroom. “Without actually experiencing and listening to the stories of survivors, it is impossible to be an instrument of change and find solutions to problems that plague society, especially Human Rights violations. Thus, Sisters-at-Law (SAL) was born in August, 2018 to create awareness about the laws and policies relating to Human Rights and to promote activism through forms of art,” says the human rights trainer (for the army, police, public officials, and grassroots level leaders) who has also been a member of the Steering Committee on the Rehabilitation of Child Soldiers, the Prisons Reform Committee, and the National Committee on Women. De Livera also chaired the committee that drafted the amendments to the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act.
During the three years since its inception, SAL had represented survivors of violence in a number of pro bono cases from the Magistrate’s Court to the Supreme Court says its founder. Referrals are made by the courts and the Police to SAL which not only provides free legal representation but also empowers survivors. Located in Battaramulla within her legal chambers, D
e Livera has provided SAL with an inviting atmosphere where victims of violence can unwind, have a hot drink or a warm meal and decide on how they should proceed.
Filling the need for long term support for survivors, SAL has expanded to offer educational programmes, skills training and income generating activities beyond lodging facilities. Guided by people-centric and strength-focused principles, once a girl or a woman is admitted to a SAL’s shelter, she is asked what her dream is and a ‘Care Plan’ is prepared for each to realize her dream aligned with SAL’s belief that all girls and women deserve an opportunity to find their voice and potential while being able to live a dignified, peaceful and a happy life. “Based on the Care Plan we allocate funding by raising our own funds and also appoint a ‘Care Manager’ who ensures that all steps in the Care Plan are adhered to and the Senior Management reviews the Care Plan,” explains De Livera.
Largely self-funded, SAL finds it challenging to sustain its activities. “Initially we had two shelters, one in Colombo and the other in Galle. Due to lack of funds, we were forced to close down the Galle shelter,” says De Livera. A woman whose road has never been easy, she calls herself ‘unstoppable’ and is in the process of setting up SAL’s own dress making business to help more women and girls in need. A gifted artist and a Licentiate teacher in Speech and Drama from Trinity College London, De Livera uses art as a therapeutic means of healing and empowering survivors. She has her own street theatre group, with her own bird mascot Bindoo that travels around the country performing plays related to human rights issues.
Although the Prevention of the Domestic Violence Act of 2005 speaks of the need for shelters for victims of violence, there is still a dearth of them in the country, notes De Livera. Such shelters should not however be ‘prison-like’ unhappy places but ‘peaceful and safe heavens’ where survivors could take informed decisions relating to their future and train and empower themselves to function on their own, contribute to society and become productive citizen, she adds. Networking with members from the medical profession, religious leaders, psychologists and clinicians, educators, business sector etc. is imperative to build a support system for the survivors, observes SAL’s founder.
Urging young women lawyers to be change-makers, De Livera also says that they need more role models. “They also need to be sensitized and at SAL we make it happen in our own little way. We hope to train a pool of legal experts in all fields who can also represent the marginalized in court.” She reiterates that women lawyers need to be proactive to ensure that the concept ‘Women’s Rights are Human Rights’ become a reality. “Sri Lanka signed the CEDAW Convention in 1981. Yet to date no domestic law has been passed by our Parliament incorporating Women’s Human Rights enshrined in CEDAW into Sri Lankan Law. Women lawyers should advocate and lobby for law reform.” The Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act which was passed in 2015 provides for compensation to victims of a crime. However, the Victims’ Authority does not have a Fund to be used for this purpose, charges De Livera who goes on to remark that women lawyers should be trained to identify these issues and agitate for their realization.
Making a case for girls and women whose abuse is rampant and whose only option should not be to become a domestic worker, the activist lawyer calls fellow women to rally around to empower them at grassroot level. “There are graduates employed at every Divisional Secretariat. They function as representatives of all Cabinet Ministers in the capacity of Child Protection Officers, Women Development Officers and Probation Officers. In certain parts of the country these officers have prepare a document known as a ‘child vulnerability card’ that assesses the danger every child is exposed to.”
She also maintains that schools should work with the NCPA and the Probation Department and detect and track if school drop-outs are trafficked to Colombo and other cities by unscrupulous agents to earn money out of them. “Systems are already in place – it is only a matter of implementing them. Women lawyers in this country can be the driving force to advocate for the implementation of policies and laws,” concludes De Livera.
If you wish to support or rally around
Sisters-at-Law, write to helpsistersatlaw@gmail.com
Institute of Hospitality Sri Lanka
The 32nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the UK-based Institute of Hospitality’s Sri Lanka Chapter was held recently at the Ramada Hotel Colombo,.The event provided an evening of camaraderie , reflection of the past and present achievements,setting new benchmarks for the future
The AGM had the presence of two distinguished guests, the Chief Guest Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, and the Guest of Honour British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick. Their inspiring speeches were lauded by all hoteliers who were present at the occasion
A special thanks was extended to Robert Richardson, CEO of the Institute of Hospitality UK, along with his team, sponsors, committee members, and all attendees for making the event memorable.
Dr. Harsha Jayasingh, Past President of the Institute of Hospitality (UK) Sri Lanka Chapter, emphasised the Institute’s longstanding history and the strength of its Sri Lankan branch. “The Institute of Hospitality (IH) UK has a history of 86 years, and we are proud to be the Sri Lanka Branch. IH Sri Lanka is much stronger now with many members from all areas of the hospitality industry,” he stated.
Dr. Jayasingh highlighted the significant role of tourism in Sri Lanka’s economy,. He said tourism it is the third-largest source of revenue for the country. “Tourism accounts for about 13.3% of total foreign exchange earnings and employs 450,000 people directly and indirectly. The hospitality industry in this island of pearl holds tremendous potential for economic growth, job creations, and cultural exchange,” he added.
He also pointed out more women should be attracted to the industry and advocated for the use of technology in hospitality sector to attract the younger generation.
The newly appointed Chairman Ramesh Dassanayake spoke about the challenges faced by the industry, including the reluctance of youth to join the sector. . Dassanayake expressed concerns over the migration of staff between hotels and the overall ‘brain drain’ in the sector. ” We must maintain high standards in the hotel We must try to attract tourists to Sri Lanka, we must have with many facilities Hence, hotel schools and other professional institutions involved in skills development mustincrease their intakes,” he pointed out.
Chief Guest Sajith Premadasa emphasised the importance of eco tourism and said “We need to have an environmental policy related to tourism in place,” . .
The 32nd AGM of the Institute of Hospitality UK, Sri Lanka Chapter, was a testament to the strength and potential of Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry. The insights and commitments shared during the event set a new benchmark for the future.(ZC)
Pix by Thushara Attapathu
Life style
He recognizes human identity beyond boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion.
Visit of Sri Gurudev to Sri Lanka
Humanitarian, spiritual leader and Global Ambassador of Peace Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (Sri Gurudev) was in Sri Lanka on a three day tour on the invitation of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dinesh Gunewardene. Gurudev who inspired a wave of volunteerism and service to moot one of the largest volunteer-based organisations in the world – The Art of Living – visited the various projects under the aegis of the foundation and launched twelve vocational and technical centers around the island. He was accompanied by thousands of followers from Sri Lanka and around the world.
Gurudev who visited Sri Lanka for the sixth time also had a first day cover launched in honour of his visit. He is a strong proponent of spreading happiness, using the unique Sudarshan Kriya, yoga, meditation and practical wisdom to unite people, empower individuals and transform communities. His programmes provide techniques and tools to live a deeper, more joyous life, while his non-profit organisations recognize the human identity beyond the boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion.
The Art of Living which has more than 30,000 teachers and over one million volunteers across 180 countries has touched in excess of five hundred million people around the world. CNN called it “Life Changing” and The Washington Post headlined it, “Fresh air to millions”.
In Trincomalee, Gurudev met with war victims and had a heartwarming engagement with the children from the children’s homes run by the Foundation. He also visited the Koneswara Temple in Trincomalee and graced the Kumbhabhishekam at Seetha ecogPnize the human identity beyond the boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion. Amman temple at Nuwara Eliya. He held discussions with the trustees on the progress of the foundation’s social service projects, while also holding a special event – Ekamuthuwa – attended by a large number of dignitaries and his devotees from around the world.
His time with the Prime Minister was spent discussing the prospects of unity in diversity and uniting Sri Lanka by adding happiness into the formula of living. In addition he had discussions with the Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, prominent business stewards and civil society leaders.
by Zanita Careem
Envison your dream wedding day come to life at the Epitome Hotel, a prestigious city hotel in Kurunegala offering an unrivalled luxury rendors experience for weddings.
The venue is designed to embody opulence and luxury from all quarters for a spectacular wedding in kurunegala,Thier ballroom is the largest banquet facility in Sri Lanka It can be divided into six luxurious pillarless wedding halls on the ground floor and 25pax smaller banquet halls.
It can be easily named as a five star heaven in the heart of the city contributing to a myriad of immense experiences tailored to inspire and delight wedding experiences.
From opulent décor set up to exquisite table decor, lavish food, every detail is meticulously curated to spark your imagination and ignite creativity for a perfect wedding. The previous prestigious wedding shows season one and season two attracted large crowds
were unique events which gave the wedding vendors and potential clients had an opportunity to connect and interact with each other. Beyond being a showcase it was a chance for the wedding vendors to unite and contribute to the vibrancy of the wedding industry. The wedding show covered all area of the bridal industry providing a comprehensive variety of bridal supplies from Sri lanka and became the most popular bridal exhibitions in Kurunegala.This bridal exhibitions allowed brides and grooms to experience first hand the products and services available from suppliers in Sri Lanka
These wedding shows held at The Epitome created a benchmark and gave an opportunity for vendors to create connections to the utmost satisfaction said Harshan Lakshita Executive Director. of the magnificent Hotel
Our wedding shows featured experts and professionals in every field‘ It covered all areas of the bridal industry provided a comprehensive variety of bridal supplies from Sri lanka and became most popular bridal exhibition in this region.We are always open to everyone to join us at our wedding shows in the future. It is an opportunity to discover the incredible talent within our local wedding and bridal vendors to make meaningful relationships and plan thier special day at our breathtaking hotel The Epitome said General Manager Kavinda Caldera
The Epitome Hotel’s bridal show which will be held end of June will buzz with great ideas,advice and inspiration for all those who plan thier dream wedding
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The Hotel Epitome’s Wedding Season 3 will marked excellence, celebration and inspiration for those in the wedding industry. The exhibition halls will resonate with ideas on exquisite bridal wear to decor, florists , photography etc and showshowcase the rich tapestry of talent within the local wedding industry. .
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