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A rational attempt
By Vidushi Seneviratne
The legal profession is undoubtedly one of the most sought after in Sri Lanka. But lawyers are also viewed with a sense of cynicism by society at large. The launching of the Law College Law Review, published by the Moot Society of the Sri Lanka Law College, is an effort to boost the profession's image. The Law Review was launched on February 12 under the patronage of Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva and Attorney General K.C. Kamalasabeyson at the College. Principal, Sri Lanka Law College H.J.F. Silva, judges of the Appellate Courts, senior lawyers, lecturers and students were present at the ceremony.

"A growing trend of the publishing of legal literature can be seen in our country, and the Law College Law Review is one such vital addition to this collection," said the Chief Justice, commenting on the professionalism and dedication that had gone into producing the Review. The volume is of the calibre of renowned law journals such as the Harvard International Law Journal, he said.

The editorial committee of the Law Review consisted of Laila Nasry (Editor), Tazio Ratnayeke (Assistant Editor), Lankanath Rathnayake, Rajindh Perera and Suren Gnanaraj.

"The Review was worked out over a period of seven months. The journal came about following a meeting with Dr. A.R.B. Amerasinghe, a renowned expert in the legal field. His agreeing to head the consultant editorial panel was a boost to our confidence," said editor Laila Nasry. "The support the editors received from him and other distinguished members of the consultant editorial panel, was essential for the journal's high standard," she said, adding that the journal carries a section devoted to case notes of recent judicial decisions compiled entirely by students.

The Law Review comprises articles dealing with a wide array of subjects from established legal norms such as Advocacy, Arbitration and Legislative Drafting, to more contemporary areas such as Electronic and Computer Evidence in Criminal and Civil Proceedings and the Impact of the International Criminal Court on International Criminal Law. "The wide subject area dealt with in the journal would benefit a cross-section of the legal profession, from lawyers, to legal academics and law students," said Attorney General K.C. Kamalasabeyson. The journal also carries a special tribute to the late Dr. J.A.L. Cooray, a giant in the legal community.

Among the contributors to the Review are Dr. A.R.B. Amerasinghe, Saleem Marsoof PC, Franklyn Amerasinghe, K. Kanag-Isvaran PC, Arittha Wikramanayake, Arthur Samarasekera PC, Therese Perera PC, Ros Macdonald, Sheryl Jackson, Dr. A. Rohan Perera PC, Dr. John Gooneratne and Rajpal Abeynayake. The journal has a contribution by Pubudu Sachithanandan, who is presently an intern at the International Criminal Court. It was stressed that more student participation would be a necessary step in future editions.

"For the first time, students of Sri Lanka Law College have produced a law journal of international standard, bringing much credit to both the institution and our country. The journal is a direct result of the Moot Society, through which students have successfully been involved in many international legal competitions involving mooting and client counselling," said the Principal of Sri Lanka Law College H.J.F. Silva.

Added Hejaaz Omer Hizbullah, President of the Moot Society, "Our focus here has mainly been on rationalizing, institutionalizing and internationalizing, and the Law College Law Review is tangible evidence that the institution is on its way toward progress."

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