A University of London LIB for everyone!
CFPS Academy in the forefront of private sector legal education
Irrespective of your field of study, a legal qualification would make you aware of your rights, enhance your knowledge and equip you to face a multiplicity of challenges. Whilst opening new vistas, horizons and pushing borders, a sound legal education is a necessity in today’s competitive society.
An assured path to gaining such an informative, understanding of the law and its implementation is through a world renowned LIB which would not only be a valued qualification but also an avenue to enriching ones capabilities. Focusing on a selected field of study, whether legal or otherwise is important, but having a legal understanding and ability to grasp the framework within which society operates and knowing the regulatory mechanism affecting almost all aspects of our lives, gives you an added advantage.
The state, civil society, the public and private sectors all revolve around the law and its proper implementation. Therefore, reading for and obtaining an LIB from a reputed university is the gateway to reaching higher and enhancing one’s value.
The Centre for Professional Studies (CFPS) has been in the forefront of legal studies in Sri Lanka for the past twenty years. An undisputed leader in the field today, the CFPS Academy is part of the CFPS group. The CFPS has been preparing students for the Law College Entrance Exam and also conducts courses for the University of London International Programmes. Academic directions for the LIB are given by the University of London and six of its most prestigious Colleges, notably, Birkbeck, King’s College London, the London School of Economics and Political Science, Queen Mary College, the School of Oriental and African Studies and the University College London, (UCL). The CFPS Academy is today the largest institution in the private sector conducting legal studies in Sri Lanka.
As part of a global network, the University of London International Programmes, with its 19, 000 students in legal education in over 130 countries, continues to be in the front league of institutions guiding students in obtaining an ‘international gold standard’ in legal education. This has been a first step on a career route for many thousands of law- yers across the world.
An average of 175 law students have passed out of the CFPS each year over the last two decades and gone onto be lawyers of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. During the past 15 years, over 90% of the students who were admitted to the Law College were CFPS students. The CFPS Academy of Legal Studies conducts courses for the University of London International Programmes LL.B degree since 2007 and is a Registered Centre for the University of London International Programmes. It also has the diploma teaching status for the Diploma in Law of the University of London.
Comprising a panel of reputed personalities in the legal sphere in the country, the CFPS Academy has been able to synergize the abilities and skills of some of the best in the field. Internationally qualified and well versed in their respective fields of speciality, the lecturers of CFPS form the core of the academy, aiming continuously to improve the teaching methods in accordance with international standards. The panel of lecturers includes: Mr. Saliya Pieris -LIM (London), LL.B (Colombo),
Attorney-at-law Mr. D. S. R. Patrick-ll.b (Sri Lanka), Diploma in Forensic Medicine and Science (Colombo), Attorney-at-law Mrs. S. M. Senarathna- M.phil (Colombo), LL.M (Monash), LL.B (Hons) (Colombo), Attorney-atLaw Mr. Asthika Devendra-ll.m (Kingston) Post Attorney Diploma in Intellectual Property Law (Sri Lanka), Attorney-at-law Mr. Lasantha Senaratne -LL.M (Colombo), LL.B
(Colombo), MBA (Colombo), AIB (Sri-lanka), Attorney-at-law Mr. Shamir Zavahir-ll.b (London), Attorney-at
Law Ms.vidarshani Perera-ll.b (London) Mrs. Dinali Ranaraja Ranasinghe-ll.m
(Northumbria), LL.B (Hons) Barrister-at-law Mr. Upendra Walgampaya-ll.m (Canberra), LL.B
(London), Attorney-at Law Mr.varuna De Saram-ll.b (Hons) (London), Barrister-at-law (Eng & Wales), Attorney-atLaw Ms. Roshindra Seresinhe- LL.B (Hons) (London),
Diploma in Law (London), Attorney-at-law Ms. Gayathri Liyanage- LL.B (Hons) (London) Ms. Saranga Dissanayake- LL.M (Stockholm), LL.B
(Leicester) Mr.vishwa de Livera Tennekoon-ll.b (Hons)
(London) Mr. Amila Siriwardena- LL.B (Hons) (London),
Attorney-at-law
The CFPS lecturers are dedicated, experienced and knowledgeable, and possess a sound and strong commitment towards the wellbeing of the students. They are also reputed for their professionalism and innovative lecturing skills which have been gained through their experience and exposure in the legal sphere both in Sri Lanka and overseas.
The highly interactive nature of lecture sessions ensure that students receive individual attention helping them discover and improve their potential. Special programmes to develop the communication and understanding of English are also conducted free-of-charge by the Academy to assist students who wish to possess a better command of the language.
Equipped with the best in state-of-theart lecture halls, which are geared with the latest in educational material and information technology, the CFPS Academy which is located in the heart of Colombo 07 has always endeavoured to provide a world class quality education in steering the course for several thousands of students over the last two decades.
Career guidance is an integral part of the foundation of the CFPS Academy, with students receiving numerous opportunities in furthering their careers through special programmes designed to enable LIB holders prepare for the Attorney-atlaw exams in Sri Lanka and also for sixmonth periods of apprenticeship under recognised lawyers and in reputed legal firms.
The undergraduates themselves are provided with many unique opportunities to explore their abilities, and fine tune their skills through moot court sessions, informative court visits, educative Parliamentary visits, student union debates and many such activities which provide budding lawyers with a unique, wholistic approach and understanding of the law. The CFPS Academy provides facilities such as internet access free of charge, the academy is wi-fi enabled, library access throughout the week, staff assistance and students can study in a student friendly atmosphere. Students obtaining diplomas and degrees here can be assured of the recognition their qualifications carry when entering the job market.
In recognising the achievements of the students of the Academy, plans are underway to make presentations at the annual Prize Giving. As a form of further motivation, this annual event is designed towards encouraging them in the subsequent years.
The Academy has initiated a scholarship scheme whereby students receive scholarships worth Rs. 15 million. This is offered to students and candidates who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in both curricular and extra-curricular activities in school and in the community. The full scholarship covers all payments to complete the entire LL. B degree programme, covering the fees at the CFPS Academy and the University of London. In 2011, Ms. Chathuni Kaneesha Uduwela won the “Sir Ivor Jennings scholarship” which entitled her to the full scholarship.
The fresh impetus provided by legal studies initiates a novel motivation to safeguard, adhere to and be aware of one’s rights and obligations as citizens. The CFPS Academy which has been, and continues to be a leader in the field of private sector legal education is an ideal choice for the future professional.