RESILIENCE, REALIGNMENT AND AGILITY IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION

We are overwhelmed by the support and co-operation received by all stakeholders even during this period of the Pandemic and their willingness to extend their fullest cooperation to make the 22nd National Law Conference one of the Best.

- JANAPRITH FERNANDO, CHAIRMAN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

The 22nd National Law Conference 2022 (NLC) organised by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) will be held from February 11-13 at Blue Water Hotel, Wadduwa, a release from the organisers of the event states.

NLC will be spearheaded by Janaprith Fernando, Chairman and Asela Rakewa, Co-chairman. The theme of this year’s conference is Resilience, Realignment and Agility in the Legal Profession, which reflects the changes brought about due to the Covid-19 pandemic and strides made with technology in the recent past.

Significant changes have taken place with the justice system, work life and day-to-day routine activities.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid - 19) (Temporary Provisions) Act facilitates virtual court hearings where courts are unable to function or a person is unable to appear in court due to Covid-19. Both private and governmental organizations have embraced the work from home culture and facilitated employees and customers/clients to carry out their functions virtually. Implementation of artificial intelligence and validity of digital currencies have been widely discussed over the past few months. Moreover, in 2021, the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act was passed and the Securities and Exchange Commission Act was repealed after 34 years and the Data Protection Bill received cabinet approval. It was in this context that the theme of the conference was coined.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will be the Chief Guest. His Lordship Hon Jayantha Jayasuriya PC will inaugurate the Conference which will be followed by a stimulating presentation by MUM Al iS abri PC and Minister of Justice on February 11. The Sessions will commence on February 12 under ‘The Response of the Legal System to the Pandemic” which will be include the Keynote Address by His Lordship Hon. Buwaneka Aluwihara PC, Judge of the Supreme Court Chief Justice, along with distinguished members both from the Official and Unofficial Bar and office bearers of the BASL. The other Topics and Sessions including, adaptation of the legal system to the pandemic, recent developments in Employment and Labour Law, Condominium Law & the Director’s liabilities, Challenges posed to the Banking and Insurance Practices by the Pandemic, Investment Law, New Developments in Law and Commerce with a special emphasis on Digitization and Virtual Currency and more with eminent panelists from the Judiciary, Attorney General’s Department, overseas, unofficial bar and state agencies. The Sessions committee, headed by Chinthaka Fernando, has planned out the sessions which will definitely be of much educational value and also contribute to the development of the administration of justice in Sri Lanka.

The National Law Conference Committee has partnered with USAID in delivering this conference as the legal community is working very closely with USAID in several joint projects including digitization of the system. Many state and private sector institutions are supporting the 22nd National Law Conference in sponsorships. “We are overwhelmed by the support and co-operation received by all stakeholders even during this period of the Pandemic and their willingness to extend their fullest cooperation to make the 22nd National Law Conference one of the Best. The Speakers Panelist and Moderators for the Conference are also engaged in many pre-conference discussions in order to deliver the Best. The Opening Ceremony and the Gala Dinner will feature several musical and cultural items from leading troupes in Sri Lanka” said Janaprith Fernando, Chairman of the Conference Committee.

Due to these significant changes, the NLC Committee has taken the initiative to launch a Publication for the first time which would encompass articles from both senior and junior lawyers which would be edited by Charm Jayatilleke and team of lawyers. The Publication will also encompass a few short papers on topics of relevance.