Asia’s top law conference turns to Sri Lanka after 23 years
Several commissions have been appointed by the Sri Lankan Government to ensure the rule of law and uphold democracy in a transparent manner. Upul Jayasuriya, Chairman of Lawasia, Sri Lanka 2016 Organising Committee and the past President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, said the era where the Sri Lankan judiciary was battered and condemned ended on 8th January 2015. “We were a country where the rule of law was in shambles and the independence of the judiciary was shattered and where the Attorney General was held hostage by the Executive and was dictated to. We were a country where the appointments made to the apex courts were questionable.” He was speaking at the launch of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations function held in Colombo last week
“We are happy and proud that the Sri Lankan bar was resilient and took up the challenge and stuck out their necks as sacrificial lambs. We are proud to say that of the civil society we took the lead. After all the turbulence, thunder and tremor we are proud to say that we as a nation have reached tranquility and harmony. It was against this backdrop that Law Asia decided have its Golden Jubilee Celebrations in Sri Lanka,” he said.
Mr. Jayasuriya said independent commissions have now being established including the Constitutional Councils for the appointment of judges to the Superior Courts. Other commissions include the Election Commission, the Audit Commission, Bribery Commission to probe corruption and the Judicial Commission. “We have embarked upon a journey of good governance that is long and its destiny will be known soon.” The first Law Asia conference was held in Sri Lanka in the 70s during the time of H.W. Jayawardene, QC, he said.
Bar Association President Geoffery Alagaratman said that on behalf of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka it was his pleasant task to welcome the delegates to Sri Lanka and noted that Law Asia had come to Sri Lanka after 23 years. “We last hosted the Law Asia conference in 1993 and since then have come a long way and (still have) a long way to go. We have emerged from a long and protracted conflict that caused much damage to our beautiful country.”He said that today Sri Lankans are still emerging from a miraculous exercise in democracy.
The people voted within one year for a change. A change for the better and a change for the rule of law and democracy for a decent living in a society where everyone acknowledges the inherent dignity of people and whatever their language, religion or their social standing. “We walk, talk and breathe freely today but yet there is lot more to be done. The new government has to be made constantly accountable to deliver the promises made and we have to be vigilant,” he added.President of Lawasia Prashant Kumar said the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Law Asia will be celebrated in a jurisdiction in Sri Lanka which has just celebrated the best of the values ,of democracy and the rule of law after a long and a turbulent period