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National Law Week concluded after a series of events

Published

2 years ago

2023/10/24

The National Law Week, an important annual event organized by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), was held from Sept 25 to Oct 1. Starting with provincial programmes at selected Bars around the country, the ceremonial session took place on 28 September at the Courts Complex in Hulftsdorp, Colombo, with the presence of high-level attendees including Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya PC, Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam PC, Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka Azusa Kubota, President of the BASL Kaushalya Nawaratne, Chairman of the Legal Aid Commission Rohan Sahabandu PC, and Chairman of the Law Week Committee U.R. de Silva PC, a UNDP release said.

The National Law Week, organised by BASL, is of high significance in the legal calendar of Sri Lanka. It is a week-long programme that aims to promote awareness about the legal profession, educate the public about their legal rights and responsibilities, and foster a better understanding of the law in society. This year, the National Law Week partnered with the Support to Justice Sector Project (JURE), funded by the European Union in Sri Lanka, jointly implemented by UNDP and UNICEF Sri Lanka, and facilitated by the Ministry of Justice.

Speaking on the importance of the event, the Chairman of the Law Week Committee U.R. de Silva noted: “The National Law Week serves as a platform to promote legal literacy, create awareness about legal issues, and strengthen the legal profession in the country. It plays a vital role in enhancing legal education, fostering public trust in the judiciary, and ensuring access to justice for all”.

Noting the support of the EU-funded initiative, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Sri Lanka Dr Johann Hesse commented: “An efficient and inclusive justice sector is critical for social cohesion. The European Union is funding the JURE project and works with UNDP and UNICEF to promote home-grown reforms and institutions to improve access to justice for all and bring the sector closer to the people”.

The provincial programmes included the Bars of Batticaloa, Galle, Jaffna, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matara, Ratnapura and Vavuniya as well as several others, and culminated in the official ceremonial session leading to interactive activities held in Colombo. The array of activities included public lectures, seminars, workshops, and panel discussions on different legal topics. Additionally, schoolchildren had debating competitions in the regions and were also invited to visit the courts and witness selected court processes. Renowned legal professionals, academics, and experts in various fields of law were invited to share their knowledge and insights with the participants, bringing public institutions and the public closer.

Commenting on the role of the Support to Justice Sector Project (JURE), Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka Azusa Kubota, noted: “Promoting access to justice for all is a defining pillar in our work, in particular working with women, children, the poor and persons in vulnerable situations. The lineup of activities of the National Law Week is catalytic, needed, and innovative as they bring the justice system closer to the people who need it most. I would like to sincerely commend the openness of the Bar and members for the initiative as it is very much in alignment with the UN’s vision on people-centred justice.”

Demonstrations of how the day-to-day court processes are conducted so the public can see and learn through experiencing it are vital to bridge the knowledge gap between the justice system and the public’s understanding of its operations.

A booklet was also published in local languages, by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, to help enhance knowledge of the general public on key laws in the country.

The National Law Week saw the participation of well over 3,500 people over the course of the seven days it was operational throughout Sri Lanka. The activities and programmes contribute to enriching the legal legacy that is not restricted to the hearings in a court complex but brings the justice system closer to the people who need it most.

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Advisory for Heavy Rain issued for the Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and North-central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts

Published

1 hour ago

2026/02/22

Priyan

Advisory for Heavy Rain Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 08.30 a.m. on 22 February 2026 valid for the period until 08.30 a.m. 23 February 2026

Due to the influence of the low level atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and North-central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Therefore, general public is advised to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by heavy rain, strong winds and lightning during thundershowers

News

Matara Festival for the Arts’ inaugurated by the Prime Minister

Published

7 hours ago

2026/02/22

Priyan

The inaugural ceremony of the Matara Festival for the Arts, featuring a wide range of creations by local and international artists, was held on February 19 at the Old High Court premises of the Matara Fort, under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The festival, centred around the Old High Court premises in Matara and the auditorium of the Matara District Secretariat, will be open to the public from 20 to 23 of February. The festival will be featured by visual art exhibitions, short film screenings, Kala Pola, and a series of workshops conducted by experts.

The inaugural event was attended by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Ms. Saroja Paulraj, along with artists, guests, and a large number of schoolchildren.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

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Only single MP refuses salary as Parliament details pays and allowances

Published

11 hours ago

2026/02/22

Thilina Walpola

SJB Badulla District MP Nayana Wasalathilake is the only MP to forego salary and allowances, with all payments suspended following his written notification on August 20, 2025.

Only one Member of Parliament has chosen not to receive the salaries and allowances entitled to MPs, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya revealed in Parliament last Thursday, shedding light on the financial perks enjoyed by members of the Tenth Parliament.

Speaking on Thursday (Feb. 19) in response to a question from SJB Badulla District MP Chaminda Wijesiri, the Prime Minister outlined the full range of pay and allowances provided to parliamentarians.

According to Dr. Amarasuriya, MPs receive a monthly allowance of Rs. 54,285, an entertainment allowance of Rs. 1,000, and a driver’s allowance of Rs. 3,500—though MPs provided with a driver through the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs are not eligible for the driver’s allowance.

Additional benefits include a telephone allowance of Rs. 50,000, a transport allowance of Rs. 15,000, and an office allowance of Rs. 100,000. MPs are also paid a daily sitting allowance of Rs. 2,500 for attending parliamentary sessions, with an additional Rs. 2,500 per day for participation in parliamentary sittings and Rs. 2,500 per day as a committee allowance.

Committee meetings held on non-parliament sitting days also attract Rs. 2,500 per day.

Fuel allowances are provided based on the distance between an MP’s electoral district and Parliament. National List MPs are entitled to a monthly allocation equivalent to 419.76 litres of diesel at the market price on the first day of each month.

Despite the comprehensive benefits, only SJB Badulla District MP Nayana Wasalathilaka has opted not to draw a salary or allowances. Dr. Amarasuriya said that in accordance with a written notification submitted by MP Wasalathilaka on August 20, 2025, payments have been suspended since that date.

The Prime Minister also confirmed that she, along with the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, committee chairs, ministers, deputy ministers, the Opposition Leader, and senior opposition whips, have all informed the Secretary-General of Parliament in writing that they will not claim the fuel allowance.

Challenging the ruling party’s voluntary pledge to forgo salaries, MP Wijesiri pointed out that all MPs except Wasalathilaka continue to receive their salaries and allowances. “On one hand you speak about the people’s mandate, which is good. But the mandate also included people who said they would voluntarily serve in this Parliament without salaries. Today we have been able to prove, Hon. Speaker, that except for one SJB MP, the other 224 Members are drawing parliamentary salaries,” he said.

The Prime Minister responded by defending the political culture and practice of allocating portions of MPs’ salaries to party funds. Referring to previous practices by the JVP and NPP, she said: “It is no secret to the country that the JVP has for a long time not personally taken MPs’ salaries or any allowances. I think the entire country knows that these go to a party fund. That is not new, nor is it something special to mention. The NPP operates in the same way. That too is not new; it is the culture of our political movement.”

When MP Wijesiri posed a supplementary question asking whether diverting salaries to party funds was an indirect method of taking care of MPs, Dr. Amarasuriya said: “There is no issue there. No question was raised; the Member made a statement. What we have seen throughout this week is an inability to understand our political culture and practice, and a clash with decisions taken by political movements that misused public funds. What is coming out is a certain mindset. That is why there is such an effort to find fault with the 159. None of these facts are new to people. He did not ask a question, so I have nothing to answer.”

The disclosures come days after the Government moved to abolish the parliamentary pension, a measure that has sparked renewed debate over MP compensation and the transparency of funds allocation.