On April 26, 2015 law students staged a demonstration as a group of concerned citizens calling for the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution. It was staged at the George E. de Silva Park in Kandy.
A candlelight vigil was similarly staged by law students on May 27, 2015 at Galaha Junction to express solidarity with victims of rape and other forms of sexual violence and to call on authorities to enforce the law in a stringent manner. The vigil was staged pursuant to news of several brutal rape cases around the country including that of teenager Vithiya in Jaffna.
Second year law students offered the mid-day meal to patients warded at the Cancer Ward of the General Hospital on June 08, 2015.
New Dynamics, Directions, and Divergences in the Humanities- International Conference organized by the Faculty of Humanities-University of Kelaniya-May 21-22, 2015
Suvimali Warnathunga- (A/10/LLB/043) (“Analysis of rising child abuse in the Polonnaruwa District in the context of the gap between law and society”)
The 2nd International Student Conference on Business (ISCB) on the theme “The future is global: Sharing student insights on gaining sustainable competitive advantage in the global business network.” - University of Kelaniya - 21st November 2014
N.P. Dissanayaka (A/LLB/09/010) (on “Debt Recovery Legislation of the Sri Lankan Banking Sector”), M.P.G.R.K.Marasinghe (A/LLB/09/022) (on “Use of Information and Communication Technology Law to Obtain Advantages in the Global Business Network”) and P.R.S.M. Peramune (A/LLB/09/027) (on “Application of E-Commerce in Sri Lanka During the Last Decade”) presented research papers at the above conference.
The student presenters were mentored by Ms. Kanchana Liyanapathirana, Lecturer (Probationary).
All final year law students recently engaged in a community-based research and awareness raising program undertaken as an assignment for the Law Clinic (LAW 498) course. Student groups were required to select local communities in close proximity to the campus in order to find out their legal needs and to conduct awareness raising programs on the available legal remedies. Building linkages with the local communities through educational activities is seen by the Department as a means of encouraging students to develop social empathy and to view the law as a tool for achieving social justice.
| Location | Issue | |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Gohagoda | Site of improper waste disposal of the Kandy city giving rise to many social and health issues; illegal eviction from land by the state |
| 02 | Hindagala | Property disputes of the residents; issues of domestic violence; soil erosion due to unauthorized building |
| 03 | Pamunuwa-Pilimathalawa | Access to legal aid; general legal issues of the community |
| 04 | Hantana Estate-Hantana | Lack of ownership of land which the residents have possessed for decades (State land); non-payment of EPF/ETF contributions by the estate management; lack of adequate drinking water |
| 05 | Uda Peradeniya | Delay in awarding ownership of land to settlers by the government; drug addiction; child abuse |
| 06 | Dangolla | Illegal arrests; domestic violence; drug addiction |
| 07 | Balagolla- Industrial Zone | Devolution of property under the general law; EPF/ETF entitlements of garment factory workers; the right to compensation for violations of industrial safety |
The activity was guided by Dr. D. Udagama, Lecturer in charge of the Law Clinic with the assistance of Ms. Menaka Lecamwasam, Temporary Lecturer.
Student societies
de lege musica- A literary evening
The Department held its first ever literary evening “de lege musica” (the Music of Law) on 11th June 2015. The well attended event sought to highlight the literary and performing talents of the students of the Department, affording a glimpse into lives beyond the written law. The event included recitals by law students of original compositions of poetry, free verse, spoken word poetry, musical compositions, and short stories in all three languages. An eclectic collection of performances based on themes ranging from the pleasures and vexations alike of life as university students to eye-openers on rape and abortion defined the event. The successful evening has set the tone for many more such endeavors by the Department in the coming years.
New Year Festival
The annual New Year Festival of the Department of Law of University of Peradeniya organized by the Law Students' Association was held on 5th of April 2016 at the Department premises. The event was made a success with the participation of the Dean of the Faculty of Arts; Prof. O.G. Dayaratne Banda, the Department Head; Dr. Samanmala Dorabawila, the Head and the staff of the Fine Arts Department and our beloved lecturers of the Department of Law.
Students of all four batches made an immense effort to organize the games and to ensure that the day was full of entertainment for all participants.
The Festival began with a combination of Sinhala and Tamil rituals of the New Year with the participation of the distinguished guests and students of all ethnicities depicting the true spirit of national unity. The students had arranged a table of Sinhala and Tamil sweetmeats and they made the day a tasty experience.
A number of games were held throughout with the participation of the students and the staff. Winners were rewarded with gifts which they could share with the batch mates.
The day came to an end after all these fun-filled activities adding a remarkable memory to the hearts of all.
