The second edition of General Sir John Kotelawala Memorial Trophy Moot Court Competition organized by the Moot Court and Debating Society of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University was held from the 12th to the 15th of March 2022. In the interest of bringing something novel and unique to the local mooting arena, this Competition reintroduces the specialty of domestic Criminal Law with an aim to expand upon Law Students’ knowledge and understanding of the domestic legal framework. The Preliminary and Semi-Final Rounds of the Competition took place on a virtual platform, while the two fortunate teams that made it to the Finals were hosted at the Faculty of Graduate Studies, KDU, Ratmalana. The result of several months’ efforts by the Society, the Competition involved participants from the foremost universities and institutes providing legal education to students in Sri Lanka, including the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka Law College, Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology (APIIT), Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) and CfPS Law School. Over twenty (20) competitors put up a spirited battle for the Championship Trophy, with the team representing KDU ultimately emerging victorious in the oral rounds.
Mr Chandrika Manamendra from General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University was awarded the trophy for the Best Oralist, with Ms Chethana Maduwanthi from University of Colombo emerged as the Runner Up. Two students from Royal Institute of Colombo, Mr. Naika Gooneratne and Mr. Treshan Fernando were awarded the Spirit of the Moot Trophy for their exemplary performance at the Preliminary Rounds of the Competition. Meanwhile, the teams representing Royal Institute of Colombo and KDU won the awards for Best Memorandum – Appellant and Best Memorandum – Respondent with teams from KDU and University of Colombo emerged as Runners Up, respectively. Legal luminaries including Rear Admiral (Retired) Shavindra Fernando PC, Former Judge Advocate General of the Sri Lanka Navy, Major General Edward Jayasinghe, Judge Advocate General of Sri Lanka Army and Legal Advisor, Ministry of Defence, Sumathi Dharmawardena PC, Additional Solicitor General of the Attorney General’s Department, Udaya Rohan De Silva PC, Advisor to the Ministry of Justice and Saliya Peiris PC, President of the Bar Association constituted the Panel of Judges for the Final Rounds of the Competition.
The Closing Ceremony of the Competition was held at the Faculty of Graduate Studies, KDU, which was graced by Major General Milinda Peiris, Vice-Chancellor along with Prof Sanath Dhammika, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) and Dean, Faculty of Law, Mr Mangala Wijesinghe, Members of the Faculty of Law, students and the participants of the Competition.
