Full name – Ms. A Asanka Edirisinghe
Designation – Senior Lecturer Grade II
Contact Number – 0714125856
E-mail – asanka.edirisinghe@kdu.ac.lk
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Qualifications
Professional Qualifications
Research and Publications
Participation
Research Interests
Areas of Teaching
Awards & Grants
Qualifications
- Master of Philosophy (MPhil), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- Master of Laws (LLM) in International Business and Commercial Law, Ealing Law School, University of West London, United Kingdom.
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB) (Hons), Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Professional Qualifications
- Attorney-at-Law of the Supreme Court, Sri Lanka.
- Registered Company Secretary.
- Commissioner for Oaths.
- Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education (CTHE), General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka.
- Certificate Course in Human Resource Management, Institute of Personnel Management in Sri Lanka.
Research and Publications
Book Chapters
Journal Articles
- Edirisinghe A & Suchet-Pearson S, ‘Nature as a Sentient Being: Can Rivers be Legal Persons?’ (2024) 33(2) Review of European, Comparative and International Environmental Law 224-235
- Seethawaka D and Edirisinghe A, ‘Panda Saves the Day: Implementing Panda Diplomacy to Safeguard Diplomatic Animals’ (2023) 11(1) Global Journal of Animal Law
- Edirisinghe A and Lim M, ‘A plea for survival: Can the return to eco-centrism strengthen the legal protection of nature in Sri Lanka?’ [2021] Asia Pacific Journal of Environmental Law 24(2), 149
- Konasinghe K and Edirisinghe A, ‘Protecting Human Rights in the Light of Industrial Water Pollution: Sri Lankan Law and Obligations under International Law’ [2020] University of Colombo Review 60.
- Edirisinghe AA, ‘The Validity of Arbitration Agreements: A Comparative Analysis of Domestic and International Laws’ [2016] Manurawa Law Journal 173
- Wijerathna YP, & Edirisinghe AA, ‘Duty Towards Environmental Protection: Companies’ Role Under the Companies Act No 07 Of 2007’ [2017] Journal of Social Sciences 46
Conference Proceedings (Full Paper)
- Edirisinghe AA, ‘Corporate Governance of Banks: A critical analysis of Sri Lankan Law and Practice’ (8th International Research Conference, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Colombo, August 2015)
Available online at <http://www.kdu.ac.lk/proceedings/irc2015/2015/law-012.pdf> - Edirisinghe AA, ‘A Treat for Terra Mater: A Critical Analysis of the Legal Framework Pertaining to Environmental Reporting by Corporate Entities in Sri Lanka in the Light of Environmental Sustainability’ (3rd International Research Symposium, Rajarata University, Mihintale, January 2016)
- Edirisinghe A, ‘The Cry of the Ocean: Degradation of Coral Reefs in Sri Lanka due to Unsustainable Tourism’ (Business, Law and Technology Conference, Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology, Colombo, July 2016)
- Edirisinghe AA, ‘Disclosing for Sustainability: The need for a wider application of Environmental Reporting Laws’ (3rd International Conference on Contemporary Management, University of Jaffna, Jaffna, July 2016)
- Edirisinghe AA, ‘Elephant Diplomacy: Separated, Despaired, Aliened’ (29th LAWASIA Conference, Colombo, August 2016)
Available online at <http://www.lawasia.asn.au/sri_lanka_event.html?show=pap> - Edirisinghe AA, & Jayasekera BKM, ‘Implementation of ICCPR in Sri Lanka: Impediments and Prospects’ (9th International Research Conference, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Colombo, September 2016)
Available online at < https://www.kdu.ac.lk/proceedings/irc2016/View_page.php?key=158> - Jayasekera BKM, & Edirisinghe AA, ‘Triumvirate of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Developing Countries’ (10th International Research Conference, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Colombo, August 2017)
Available online at < https://www.kdu.ac.lk/irc2017/downlods/proceedings/Book-7.pdf> - Edirisinghe AA, & Mudalige NKK, ‘Male Victimization in Rape – Case of Sri Lanka’ APIIT Business, Law and Technology Conference, Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology, Colombo, 2017)
- Wijerathna YP, & Edirisinghe AA, ‘Corporate Responsibility for Environmental Protection with reference to the Companies Act No 07 of 2007’ (11th International Research Conference, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Colombo, September 2018)
Available online at < https://www.kdu.ac.lk/irc2018/downlods/ProceedingBooks/Law.pdf> - Edirisinghe AA, & Konasinghe KL, ‘Human Rights and Industrial Water Pollution: A Comparative Analysis of Sri Lanka, India and International Standards’ (Asian University Alliance – University of Yangon Academic Conference, University of Yangon, Myanmar, December 2018)
- Mudalige NKK & Edirisinghe AA, ‘The Role of Labour Law in the Protection of Employees During Covid-19 Pandemic in Sri Lanka’ (3rd Research Conference on Business Studies, University of Vaunia, Vavuniya 2020)
- Mudalige NKK, & Edirisinghe AA, ‘Work-from-Home: The Legal Status of Sri Lanka’ (13th International Research Conference, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Colombo, October 2020)
- Mudalige NKK &Edirisinghe AA, ‘Gig Economy and the Labour Law of Sri Lanka: A Proposal for a Safety Net for Workers’ (8th International Conference of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, 2021)
- Mudalige NKK & Edirisinghe AA, ‘For Reincarnation: An Analysis of the Application of the Polluter Pays Principle for Environmental Restoration in Sri Lanka’ (14th International Research Conference, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Colombo, September 2021)
- Edirisinghe AA and NKK Mudalige, ‘An analysis of the legal responsibility of corporations towards industrial water pollution in Sri Lanka’ (20th International Conference on Business Management, University of Sri Jayawardhanapura, Colombo, March 2023)
Conference Proceedings (Extended Abstract)
- Edirisinghe AA, ‘Insider Trading Laws in Sri Lanka: Identifying the ‘Insider’ to Combat White Collar Crimes’ (International Conference on the Humanities and the Social Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, July 2016)
- Edirisinghe AA, ‘A Free Spirit, not a Property: Private Ownership of Elephants in Sri Lanka vs Animal Rights’ (International Conference on the Humanities and the Social Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, July 2017)
Conference Proceedings (Abstract)
- Wijerathna YP, & Edirisinghe AA, ‘Let He Who Pollutes-Pay the Price: An Analysis of the Application of the Polluter-Pays Principle in Sri Lanka, India and International Law’ (12th International Research Conference, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Colombo, September 2019)
- Edirisinghe AA and Mudalige NKK, ‘The Application of the Strong Precautionary Principle: Suggestions for Sri Lankan Judiciary’ (15th International Research Conference, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Colombo, September 2022)
- Mudalige NKK, Edirisinghe AA, and Aluthge DP, ‘Future of Workplace Health and Safety: A Legal Perspective’ (16th International Research Conference, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Colombo, September 2023)
Other
- K Konasinghe & A Edirisinghe, ‘Follow thy Old Wisdom: What can Sri Lanka’s ancient kings tell us about protecting the natural world? (2021) The Association of Commonwealth Universities Review
- K Konasinghe & A Edirisinghe, ‘The Fight is for Them: Adoption of Rights of Nature Approach to Protect Natural Resources in Sri Lanka’ (2020) Echo, Ceylon Today, C8
- Edirisinghe, AA ‘Basic Instruments on International Contract Law – A Comparative Analysis of the CISG, UNIDROIT and PECL’ [2015] Silhouette Journal 207
- Edirisinghe, AA ‘Cheap Money: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’ [2016] Silhouette Journal 217
Unpublished Research Works
- Edirisinghe AA, ‘The Sunken Ships: Bankruptcy of banking institutions due to Failures in Corporate Governance in Sri Lanka’ (LLM Thesis, University of West London 2015)
- Edirisinghe AA, ‘Industrial Wastewater Management Law and its Implementation: A Comparative Analysis of Sri Lanka, India and Australia 2019)
Presentation
- Edirisinghe AA, Wijerathna YP, Mudalige NKK, & De Silva LM, ‘Young Blood to Shape the Future: Youth Political Participation in the contemporary Sri Lanka’ (Young Scholars Conference, South Asian University, New Delhi, October 2016)
- Edirisinghe AA, ‘Taking the Trails They Left: A Proposal to Revive Eco-Centrism in Sri Lanka’ (8th Frontiers in Environmental Law Colloquium, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia, February 2022)
- Edirisinghe AA & Lim M, ‘Environmental Rule of Law and the Past, Practice and Potential of the Legal Personhood of Rivers in South Asia’ (24-hour Environmental Rule of Law Symposium to mark the 40th Anniversary of the Montevideo Programme and 50 years of International Environmental Law organized by UNEP and LawAsia, May 2022)
- Edirisinghe AA, ‘The Judicial Recognition of Legal Personhood and Rights of Nature for the Protection of Rivers against Pollution: A Comparative Analysis of India and Sri Lanka’ (HDR Workshop – New Directions in Legal Research, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia, September 2022)
- Edirisinghe AA, ‘Protecting the Rivers in Sri Lanka: A “Legal Personhood and Rights of Nature” Approach’ (Pre‐Conference Workshop – Stockholm + 50: International Environmental Law in Perspective, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden, September 2022)
- Seethawaka D and Edirisinghe AA, ‘Panda Saves the Day: Implementing Panda Diplomacy to Safeguard Diplomatic Animals’ (The Asian Century: International Conference on Law, Business and Society, OP Jindal Global University, New Delhi, India, January 2023)
- Edirisinghe AA, ‘The Recognition of Legal Personhood and Rights of Rivers in International Law’ (Australian New Zealand Society of International Law Postgraduate Workshop, Victoria University of Wellington – Te Herenga Waka, Wellington, New Zealand, June 2023)
- Edirisinghe AA, ‘Nature as a Sentient Being: Can Rivers be Legal Persons?’ (The Yong Pung How School of Law – Singapore Management University (SMU), the Sydney Law School – University of Sydney (USyd) and the Faculty of Law – University of Hong Kong (HKU) Law and Sustainability ‘Law in a Hyperconnected World – Joining the Dots for a Sustainable Future’ Conference, SMU, Singapore, July 2023)
- Edirisinghe AA, ‘The Intersection Between Indigenous Worldviews and Rights of Nature: An Analysis of Sri Lanka’ (International Union for Conservation of Nature-Academy of Environmental Law Annual Colloquium, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland, July–August 2023)
- Edirisinghe AA, ‘Can Rivers be Legal Persons in Sri Lanka: An Analysis of the Theory of Legal Personhood’ (Macquarie Law School HDR Annual ‘Future Shaping Research’ Workshop, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia, September 2023)
- Edirisinghe AA, ‘The Intersection Between the Sri Lankan Value System and the Rights of Nature’ (International Conference on Pathways to Just Transitions for a Sustainable Common Future, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia, November 2023)
- Edirisinghe AA, ‘Did the River Gods Depart When the Europeans Arrived?: Restoring Relationality in River Protection in Sri Lanka’ (Macquarie Law School HDR Annual Conference: ‘Making Tomorrow Better’, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia, September 2024)
Participation
- Participant in ‘Train the Trainers Program’ – ADB Regional Capacity Development, Technical Assistance, Strengthening the Capacity for Environmental and Climate Change Laws in Asia and the Pacific organized by Asian Development Bank, IUCN Academy of Environmental Law and Open University of Sri Lanka (2018).
- Participant in the Forum Discussion on Trafficking in Women organized by the National Committee on Women of Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, Sri Lanka (2016).
- Participant in the Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction and Development organized by KDU (2017)
- Participant in the Workshop on Third World Approaches to International Law organized by the Public and International Law Department, Faculty of Law, University of Colombo (2017).
- Participant in Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction into Development Process at KDU – Workshop 01 (2017)
- Participant in Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction into Development Process at KDU – Workshop 02 (2018)
- Participant in the forum discussion ‘Pathways to Leadership: Perspectives from Accomplished Women Leaders from the Legal Field’ organized by USAID (2018)
- Participant in the Global Dialogue on Wildlife Trafficking organized by CITES Secretariat in collaboration with Department of Wildlife Conservation Sri Lanka, Environmental Foundation Limited and University of Colombo (2019).
- Panel Member, Discussion Panel, Law Goes Green organized by the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo (2020)
- Chair, Session 3: ‘Interrogating Anthropocentrism in Environmental Law’ in the 8th Frontiers in Environmental Law Colloquium organized by the Centre for Environmental Law, Macquarie University Australia, New Zealand Centre for Environmental Law, University of Auckland and the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (2022)
- Discussant, Law and Nature Dialogue – Nature: The Unspoken Victim of Ecocide, organized by the Centre for Environmental Law, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia (2023)
- Chair, Session 4: ‘Secure Planet’ in Macquarie Law School HDR Annual ‘Future Shaping Research’ Workshop, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia (2023)
- Coordinator, Macquarie Law School HDR Annual ‘Future Shaping Research’ Workshop, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia (2023)
Research Interests
- Environmental Law
- Animal Rights
- Banking and Finance
- Commercial Law
Areas of Teaching
- Environmental Law
- Finance Law
- Public International Law
Awards & Grants
- International Macquarie University Research Excellence Scholarship (iMQRES) (2022-2025)
- Macquarie University Postgraduate Research Funding (PGRF) (2023)
- Macquarie University, Faculty of Arts, Graduate Research Essential Funding Scholarship (RTF) (2023)
- Clayton Utz Award for the Best Presentation, Macquarie Law HDR ‘Future Shaping Research’ Annual Conference (2023)