Legal Aid Commission

LAC’s role in safeguarding elders’ rights

The Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka, established by Law No. 27 of 1978 is the sole statutory body entrusted with the responsibility of facilitating access to Justice for the marginalized sectors.

Normally, persons receiving a monthly income of Rs. 8,000 or less can get free legal representation from the LAC. LAC legal officers or LAC panel lawyers appear for them.

However, any person can get free legal advice from the LAC, irrespective of income. The LAC has 66 Court based Regional Centre throughout the Island, in addition to the fully-fledged Head Office at the Colombo High Court Premises, to provide these services.

A number of development projects have also been implemented by the LAC targeting the sectors that require special protection in society -women, children, adults, disabled, displaced etc. These projects provide a multitude of services for the promotion of the rights of those sectors.

The rights of senior citizens, numbering over 2.5 million, also require special attention. Many steps are being taken to activate the provisions envisaged in the Protection of the Rights of Elders Act 09/2000.

* Maintenance claims of elders are directed to the National Secretariat of the Elders by Regional Centers of the LAC.

* Taking steps to enforce orders as per 32(1) of the Protection of the Rights of Elders Act at Magistrates Courts.

* Legal advice for any legal problem concerning the welfare of elders.

* Assisting the elders in preparing legal documents.

* Legal empowerment of elders by conducting awareness programs through rural elders committees.

* Provision of booklets and pamphlets to improve legal awareness.

Issues of elders, neglected by their children and those subjected to harassments, are given a special attention. The LAC plays an active role in advising elders on how to dispose their property intelligently.

Any senior citizen can get these services from any Regional Centre of the LAC free of any charge.

S.S. Wijeratne,
Chairman
Legal Aid Commission

[Questions and Answers]

Transfer of motor vehicles

Question: I bought a new vehicle which was registered under one of my friends name. I want to transfer this vehicle under my name. Please let me know the procedure that I have to follow?

Gangoda,
Sent by email

Answer: When you buy a vehicle it is advisable to transfer it as soon as possible. For this you have to visit the Motor Traffic Department at Narahenpita with the completed relevant documents. The procedure state as follows:

Transfer of motor vehicles

* Transfer Notice (MTA 6)

* Application (MTA 8)

* Certificate of registration of vehicles (CR)

* Two photographs certified by the Grama Niladhari of the transferee (cm 3.5 x 2.5)

* Revenue licence for the relevant year of transfer along with photocopies

* Transfer tax for a Motor Car is Rs. 3,000/- (If the vehicle is transferred within 07 years from the date of first registration this amount should be paid on first transfer)

* Originals of the receipts for the payment of diesel and luxurious vehicle taxes and their photo copies (Diesel tax receipts from 1995 up to the date of transfer in respect of diesel motor vehicles and dual purpose vehicles)

* If the vehicle number begins with an English letter, VIC should be produced. If the transferee and the transferor are from two different Provincial Councils, old set of number plates should be produced and fees should also be paid. (In case of vehicles beginning with English letters Eg: GA, GB, HA)

* Receipts for the payment of luxurious and semi luxurious vehicle taxes depending on the cylinder capacity of the vehicle (Charges are shown in Other services page)

Documents required for registration of transfer

* Transfer Notice (MTA 6)

* Application (MTA 8)

* Certificate of registration of vehicles (CR)

* Two photographs certified by the Grama Niladhari of the transferee (cm 3.5 x 2.5)

* Revenue licence for the relevant year of transfer along with photocopies

* Transfer tax for a Motor Car is Rs 3,000/- (If the vehicle is transferred within 07 years from the date of first registration this amount should be paid on first transfer).

* Originals of the receipts for the payment of diesel and luxurious vehicle taxes and their photo copies (Diesel tax receipts from 1995 up to the date of transfer in respect of diesel motor vehicles and dual purpose vehicles).

* If the vehicle number begins with an English letter VIC should be produced. if the transferee and the transferor are from two different Provincial Councils, old set of number plates should be produced and fees should also be paid. (In case of vehicles beginning with English letters Eg: GA, GB, HA)

* Receipts for the payment of luxurious and semi luxurious vehicle taxes depending on the cylinder capacity of the vehicle.

One day service for transfer of vehicles

* Under this Special Service, transferee can get the vehicles transferred on one day if they present themselves personally and establish their identity.

* The transferee of the relevant vehicle should present himself personally and establish his identity.

* Duplicate Certificates of registration will not be accepted under this system.

* Photocopies of receipts for the payment of diesel tax, luxurious vehicle tax and semi luxurious vehicle tax should be produced. See table

Labour offices outside Colombo

Question: Please let me know the addresses of the Labour Offices outside Colombo through your valuable Daily News Legal Aid Page.

Wedamuni,
Seeduwa

Answer: Labour Offices outside Colombo are:-

The Labour Officer,
District Labour Office,
4/4, 4/5, Hill Street,
Nuwara Eliya,
Tel.052-2222542

The Labour Officer,
District Labour Office,
Ampara,
Tel.063-2222214

The Labour Officer,
District Labour Office,
Aradhanakanda Road,
Avissawella,
Tel.036-2222375

The Labour Officer,
District Labour Office,
Station Road,
Badulla,
Tel.055-2222358

The Labour Officer,
District Labour Office,
No.39, Pioneer Road,
Batticaloa,
Tel.065-2222151

The Labour Officer,
District Labour Office,
No.11, Aluthwatta Road,
Chilaw,
Tel.032-2222391

The Labour Officer,
District Labour Office,
23/B, Walawwatta,
Lower Dickson Road,
Galle,
Tel.091-2245774

The Labour Officer,
District Labour Office,
207, Sri Bodhi Road,
Gampaha,
Tel.033-2221062

The Labour Officer,
District Labour Office,
86, Aluth Road,
Hambantota,
Tel.047-2220104

Disabled pensioner ill treated by wife

Question: I am a disabled pensioner. My wife is now ill treating me. She is scolding and also hitting me. I cann’t go to the police station as I cannot walk. Please advice me as to where I should go to for help.

Wijetilaka,
Kurunegala

Answer: Under the Domestic Violence Act No. 34 of 2005, you can seek relief to get a protection order against your wife. There are three ways of getting a protection order - i.e. on your own by making an application to the Magistrate’s Court or via making a complaint to the police station or through a lawyer.

According to your question you have not taken any action as you are disabled. So please call 118 or 119 and make a complaint to the police. On your complaint, the police will visit your place of residence and they will take suitable action to protect and safeguard you. Otherwise, you can call the Legal Aid Commission Disabled Unit at the Head Office or any of its Legal Aid Centers islandwide.

The Disabled Act No.28 of 1996 and Disabled Laws and Regulations also have provisions to safeguard disabled persons like you.

Duplicate of certificate of vehicle

Question: I have lost my certificate of registration and vehicle identification card. I want to know whether there is any possibility to get it back from the Motor traffic department ?

Kusuma,
Mahara

Answer: Yes, You can get the duplicate of Certificate of Registration (CR) and vehicle identification card (VIC/Sticker/Number Plate) from the Motor Traffic Department at Narahenpita.

Documents required to obtain duplicate of Certificate of Registration (CR) and vehicle identification card (VIC/Sticker/Number Plate)

* Application (CMT 65)

* In case of loss of original certificate of registration, vehicle identification card, sticker, number plate, a Copy of the complaint made to the Police by the applicant

* If original of VIC/sticker/number plate is deformed/ damaged/ destroyed such originals should also be submitted.

* If absolute ownership or mortgage has been registered a report obtained from the relevant institution to the effect that there is no objection to issue a duplicate.

* Receipts for the payment of specific taxes for the diesel card, dual purpose vehicles, luxurious and semi luxurious vehicles.