Lankan assistance to build Fijian Judiciary

Suraj A Bandara

Attention has been focused towards developing the judicial system of Fiji through the assistance of skilled and experienced officials representing Sri Lanka’s legal field.

Meeting

Fijian CJ calls on President Fijian Chief Justice Anthony Harold Gadas paid a courtesy call on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday. Picture by Chandana Perera

Discussions in this regard were held when Fijian Chief Justice Anthony Harold Gadas called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday.

Expressing his views President Rajapaksa said it would be most appreciate to identify such officials through the direct intervention of the Chief Justice and the Attorney - General and that a program should be devised whereby both countries would benefit through this arrangement. The Fijian Chief Justice said the association between the Benches of Fiji and Sri Lanka goes back a long way.

Presently a large number of Sri Lankans are involved in Fiji’s legal system as judges and lawyers.

The foremost post in the criminal court is also being held by a Sri Lankan lady in Fiji, he said. A lengthy discussion on how to enhance the bilateral relationship between the two countries also figured at the meeting.

External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris, Foreign Ministry Secretary Romesh Jayasinghe and Justice Ministry Secretary Suhada Gamlath were also present.