Concerns raised over Gazette by Incorporated Council of Legal Education

Concerns were raised pertaining to the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2332/02 of 15 th May 2023 by the
Incorporated Council of Legal Education in the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice, Prison
Affairs and Constitutional Reforms held recently, the Committee said. 

Accordingly, the Committee raised concerns regarding the requirements for the enrollment into Law College included in the gazette. The Committee was of the view that it renders a great injustice to students who have obtained an LLB or have enrolled for an LLB prior to the issuing of this gazette.

This was discussed during the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice, Prison Affairs and
Constitutional Reforms held recently in Parliament under the Chairmanship of Hon. (Dr.) Wijeyadasa
Rajapakshe, Minister of Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms.

The Committee further questioned the basis for raising fees for Law College to such extent placing a
burden on the students. Responding to the said, the Principal of the Law College stated that unlike
other Universities, the treasury does not allocate money for the maintenance of the Law College
and it has come to a stage where the continuation of the Law College is at stake with given the high
expenses and economic crisis without such increase.

The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms
considered a proposal to accrue a membership fee from practising lawyers without burdening the
students of the Law College. In light of the said, the Committee Chair was of the view the matter
should be further discussed and looked into.

Moreover, the Regulations made by the Minister of Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional
Reforms published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2314/80 of 14 th January 2023 and Order
published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2328/16 of 21 st April 2023 were taken into consideration
and approved by the Committee, the Committee said.