New President’s Counsel stresses importance of international law

Sarath Malalasekera

“The legal community will have to develop a cognitive orientation towards the concepts of International Law which has an element of universality derived from metaphysical concepts as opposed the evolving concept of sovereignty,” said newly appointed President’s Counsel, Additional Solicitor General Lawrence Marcel Kumaran Arulanandam.

President’s Counsel Arulanandam was sworn in as President’s Counsel at a ceremonial sitting recently which was presided over by Acting Chief Justice Dr. Shirani A. Bandaranayake.

His swearing in as President’s Counsel was historic, for several reasons. The ceremonial sitting was presided for the first time by a Female Acting Chief Justice. His wife Commercial High Court Judge P. Rohini Walgama was the first Lady Judge who witnessed the swearing-in-ceremony of her husband as a President’s Counsel seated amongst the other High Court Judges in the well of the Court.

President’s Counsel Arulanandam is an enigmatic personality when it comes to matters outside the law. He expressed the view that it is not correct to write an article purely on the subject of law in a Hindu Magazine. He has dealt with mystic aspects of the religion.

He was called to the Bar on August 21, 1979. Kumar worked in the chambers of President’s Counsel Daya Perera, President’s Counsel R. I. Obeysekere and President’s Counsel M.L.M. Ameen before he joined the Attorney General’s Department. He had an active practice both on the criminal and civil side at the Unofficial Bar till he joined the Attorney General’s Department.

He joined the AG’s Department as an Acting State Counsel on February 1, 1983, consequent to a recommendation made by the late Justice O.S.M. Seneviratne, later he was confirmed in the post of State Counsel on August 1, 1984 and was promoted to the post of Senior State Counsel. He was appointed as Deputy Solicitor General with effect from September 15, 1999 and as Additional Solicitor General on September 31, 2008.

Arulananadam holds a Postgraduate Degree of Master of Laws from the University of Colombo. He assisted the well-known Kokkadicholai Presidential Commission and his contribution to the said Commission was appreciated by late Justice O.S.M. Seneviratne who was the Chairman who Presented the report to then President Ranasinghe Premadasa.