Law Commission revived

Suraj A Bandara and Roshan Thusara

The Law Commission of Sri Lanka which was non operational for years, began its functions again on the directives of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The President appointed the board of members which includes the chairman and 15 members. President’s Counsel Nihal Jayamanna was elected chairman and the rest have been formed of legal experts. Legal Commission Department chief Laxmi Gunasekara is the secretary to the Commission.

A spokesman for the Commission said the new members will take key decisions over the ongoing legal reforms and amendments.

The Law Commission was established under the Law Commission Act No. 03 of 1969. The Law Commission is required to keep laws under review, to advice on the elimination of anomalies, repeal of obsolete laws and simplification and modernization of the applicable law.

The Department of the Law Commission was established as a government department under the Justice Ministry to provide administrative support for the Law Commission.