Advancement of Commercial Law:

ICLP plays key role - Justice Shiranee Tilakawardane

Sarath MALALASEKERA

The Institute for the Development of Commercial Law and Practice (ICLP) Arbitration Centre has played a key role in the advancement of Commercial Law, its administration, practice, imparting knowledge and dissemination of information thereon, by establishing and operating the only institutional arbitration centre in Sri Lanka in compliance with the International Standards, to resolve commercial disputes ever since its inception on March 15, 1996, said Supreme Court Judge, Justice Shiranee Tilakawardane in a message to the ICLP awards ceremony held at the BCIS Auditorium, BMICH Colombo recently.

ICLP Arbitration Centre Secretary General and Course Director S. S. Wijeratne, Supreme Court Judge, Justice Saleem Marsoof PC, ICLP Arbitration Centre Chairman Charitha P. de Silva, Founder Member, Council of Management of ICLP President's Counsel K. Kanag Isvaran and award winners also participated at the award ceremony. Justice Shiranee Tilakawardene's message also added - "I am confident that it is the expertise of the ICLP Arbitration Centre that has been the driving force in making commercial arbitration a widespread means of resolving commercial disputes in Sri Lanka," Justice Tilakawardane said.

The ICLP Arbitration Centre has also been instrumental in creating the modern law of arbitration embodied in the Arbitration Act No.11 of 1995, modeled on the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards as a vital piece of legislation giving rise to an enriched arbitration experience in the whole of the Asian Region.

The Annual Diploma Course in Commercial Arbitration is a sine qua non in creating an alluring atmosphere for foreign investment which is vital for economic growth in Sri Lanka . Every year the trained arbitrators of the ICLP enter the field of commercial arbitration armed with the expertise knowledge professional skills and commitment to create a better culture of arbitration in a highly competitive and tightly knit world, which is in need of expeditious and reliable solutions to the increasing number of commercial disputes.

"Hence, it is with great pleasure I congratulate the Thirty Diploma Holders this year who are now ready to take upon the great task of discharging their duties as Arbitrators and Representatives of parties in arbitration proceedings," Justice Tilakawardane states in her message.

Justice Tilakawardane said "I wish both the ICLP Arbitration Centre and the Diploma Holders success in commercial disputes resolution."