Law College to switch to English medium: CJ

By Madhushala Senaratne

The medium of instruction at the Sri Lanka Law College is to be converted from Sinhala/Tamil to English, Chief Justice, Sarath N. Silva said yesterday. The Chief Justice was speaking at the 34th Annual Convocation of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) which saw the induction of Attorney-at-Law W. Dayaratne as President-elect of the BASL.

President-elect of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) Attorney-at-Law W. Dayaratne (standing) shares a joke with Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva during the induction ceremony held yesterday at the Ceylon Continental Hotel. Also in the picture are Attorney General C. R. De Silva, PC, BASL Immediate Past President Nihal Jayamanne, PC and the newly elected BASL Deputy President Mohan Pieris, PC. Pic. by Saman Kariyawasam.

The young lawyers, fresh out of Law College by 2010 will have completed their studies in English, the Chief Justice said. He also said it is necessary to restore the dignity of the profession and produce the great lawyers the profession produced in the past. He told the senior members of the BASL that, in taking forward the profession, they have a duty towards the young lawyers.

“It is out duty to look to them, take care of them and nurture them”, he said, adding that many young lawyers today practise from different quarters such as roadside tables. “The profession has stood well. The numbers are enormous and Mr. Dayaratne has a formidable task of keeping his flock together. I am confident that there is sufficient work for the 8000 strong law profession, if they make the effort,” the Chief Justice said.

The Chief Justice also urged the members of the profession to offer more legal aid to the people of the country and treat them with compassion and kindness. Mr. Dayaratne said that outstation members of the Bar have faced many difficulties.

“I bide myself to take necessary steps to address their pressing issues,” he said, adding that he would also ensure the welfare of the junior members of the Bar. “I would assure that the Bar remains free of political or any other undue bias. No person would be permitted to dictate the terms of the Bar,” he said.

“The Bar would be treated with dignity. We would strive to maintain high standards,” he said. Mr. Dayaratne won the BASL elections by a majority of 637 votes. Attorney-at-law U. R. de Silva was elected as Secretary of BASL, while Mr. Mohan Peiris, PC, was elected the Deputy President and Mr. M. U. M. Ali Sabri was elected the Treasurer.

Attorney General C. R. de Silva, PC, BASL Immediate Past President Nihal Jayamanne, PC, and the newly elected Court of Appeal President Chandra Ekanayaka were also present at the Convocation.