Nine students from the Faculty of Law, KDU participated in a capacity development programme on career choices and opportunities in the legal sector organized by the USAID CORE Justice Programme for female law undergraduates. The programme was held from 19th – 21st January 2020 and Madree Peramunugama, Rashini Kulasekara, Samali Sudasinghe, Lochani Jayasuriya, Kaveena Serasinghe, Sachithra Wathuge, Yasassri Nandasena, Anushi Jayalath and Kaveendra Lewangama were the representatives of KDU.
On the first day, the students participated in a session conducted by Ms Elizabeth Hudler – Deputy Chief of Party, USAID CORE Justice Programme on USAID and student’s objectives of the study tour. The second day marked several informative sessions with active student participation at the FJ & G De Saram law firm, the ICLP Arbitration Centre, and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka. The third day comprised of inspiring lectures at the Legal Aid Commission, Ministry of Justice, Human Rights and Legal Reforms, Legal Draftsman’s Department, Bar Association of Sri Lanka and the Human Rights Commission. Another outstanding event of the day was the thought provoking session conducted by Justice Shiranee Tilakawardane – former Justice of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka.
The study tour concluded with a panel discussion held under the theme of ‘Pathway to Leadership’ where Ms Laila Nasry – a Partner of Thiruchelvam Associates, Dr Ramani Jayasundere – Director, Justice and Gender at The Asia Foundation, Ms Kirthana Krishnakumar – Manager, Group Legal Department, John Keells Holdings PLC were the guest speakers. The session was moderated by Ms Thiagi Piyadasa while participants were awarded certificates by Mr Kent Mortimore – Chief of Party of the USAID CORE Justice Programme and Ms Shirani Narayana, the Advisor of Governance and Rule of law, Office of Governance and Vulnerable Populations, USAID, Sri Lanka and Maldives.
