Over 15,000 visit National Law Week

Sarath MALALASEKERA

Over 15,000 people visited the second “National Law Week” held at the Colombo University Law Faculty premises on Saturday and Sunday in order to obtain legal assistance from experts who were ready to help them.

Eager and anxious members of the public who came to the “National Law Week” with their problems found a kind and effective response at various stalls in which the members of the Bar and other Governmental departments took a keen interest in helping them.

In a message to the second “National Law Week” Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva PC said the characteristic feature of the second “Law Week” is the element of services on the part of those who volunteer to assist.

This is coupled with the enthusiasm of the public who place their trust in the persons and candidly seek their kind advice and assistance that is offered.

The second “National Law Week” was organised by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) held at the Colombo University Law Faculty on Saturday.

The concept of a National Law Week was formulated by Bar Association incumbent President Nihal Jayamanne PC and was inspired by the guidance of Justice Christie G. Weeramantry, who has had experience in organising similar events and his services rendered to the world are well known, the Chief Justice said.

This year’s theme, was “Legal Awakening and Social Justice.” The Chief Justice emphasised that this year’s theme has been well selected by the Bar Association President and paid tribute to the valuable service rendered by him and his active and efficient team of office bearers.

The ‘social’ component of the theme carries with it an expansive conspectus meaning ‘without barriers’ and the component of ‘justice’ brings within its fold equity, which we are all in quest of, the Chief Justice added.

The Legal Aid Commission (LAC), Attorney General’s Department, The Judicial Services Commission, Law Commission of Sri Lanka, Department of Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption, Official Languages Commission, National Police Commission, Central Environmental Authority, Sri Lanka Law College, National Dangerous Drug Control Board, National Child Protection Authority, Department of Registration of Persons, Department of Immigration and Emigration, Registrar General, Norwegian Refugee Council, International Committee of the Red Cross, Colombo University Law Faculty, Equal Access to Justice Project / UNDP, Wins Global Service (Pvt) Limited, Condominium Management Authority, National Housing Development Authority Accessibility Enables Everyone, Centre for Study of Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, Sarvodaya, The Women in Need (WIN) and Governmental and Non-Governmental Organisations participated at the second National Law Week.