Sri Lanka Law College forms Alumni association, part of 150th anniversary celebrations

In a historic event to coincide with the 150th Anniversary of Sri Lanka Law College, its esteemed alumni came together at the College Main Hall on April 3 to establish the Alumni Association.

The inception of the Alumni Association follows meticulous groundwork initiated by Principal Dr. Athula Pathinayake and Palitha Kumarasinghe PC, who secured permission from the Incorporated Council of Legal Education, presided by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya PC, last year. The Council's approval paved the way for the drafting of the Alumni Association's constitution, guided by prominent figures in the legal domain and subsequently approved by the Incorporated Council of Legal Education.

The establishment of the Alumni Association is part of a series of events to be held throughout the year to mark the 150th anniversary of the Law College established in 1874.

Palitha Kumarasinghe, PC, acting as Convener, led the gathering of alumni on April at the Sri Lanka College Main Hall. In his welcoming address, Mr. Kumarasinghe, PC, underscored the importance of forming the Association and expressed gratitude to the Alumni steering committee for their dedicated efforts in crafting and finalizing the constitution. The constitution outlines several objectives, including fostering strong ties between the Law College and its alumni, supporting fundraising initiatives for the College's development, promoting academic excellence, providing financial aid to deserving students, and guiding new entrants to the legal profession.

Following Mr. Kumarasinghe's invitation, the alumni unanimously adopted the Association's Constitution. The proceedings also saw the election of Justice Buwaneka Aluwihare, PC, as the Association's President, with Messrs. Palitha Kumarasinghe, PC, Prashantha Lal De Alwis, PC, Kushan De Alwis, PC, G. G. Arulpragasam and Raj Selvaskandan as Vice Presidents. Ms. Poornima Ranawaka assumed the role of General Secretary, while Yohan Pieris was elected as Assistant Secretary. Rajindh Perera and Nuwan Bopage were chosen as Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer, respectively. Additionally, Arunie Gunasekara, Dr. Dayani Panagoda, along with Messrs. Murshid Maharoof, Nuwan Jayawardena, Shamith Fernando, Ramzi Batcha, T. Amirthalingam, Manujaya De Silva, and Sarinda Jayawardena were elected as Committee Members.

Ex-officio, the Chief Justice is the Patron of the Association whilst the Principal Law College is the Deputy Patron of the Alumni Association.