Legal education in Sri Lanka needs moral awakening

Chief Justice Murdu Fernando 

• Addressing Sri Lanka Law Faculty Alumni Association organised felicitation ceremony Chief Justice Murdu Fernando calls for urgent reforms in Sri Lanka’s legal education to foster practical learning, inclusivity, and societal responsiveness
• Stresses need for dynamic, morally grounded approach that equips future lawyers to meet modern setbacks while advancing justice

By Janani Kandaramage

Sri Lanka Chief Justice Murdu Fernando last week underscored the urgent need to reform legal education to meet the evolving demands of a rapidly changing world.

Addressing the Sri Lanka Law Faculty Alumni Association organised felicitation ceremony at Taj Samudra, she stressed the significance of legal education in moulding an inclusive and responsive society.

Drawing parallels with global reforms in legal education, she emphasised that law must remain responsive to contemporary challenges such as data privacy, environmental sustainability, and gender equality.

She noted that the law must act as a “guardian hawk,” vigilant and adaptive, to protect and guide society through complex change, while acknowledging that the law’s effectiveness depends not just on statutes but on the people who practice it, stating that “it requires skilled hands, empathetic hearts, and critical minds.”

Central to her vision was a call to reform legal education to foster active participation rather than passive learning, proposing integrated practical experiences—court visits, internships, mock trials, and policy clinics—into curricula. Moreover, she advocated for stronger ties between the judiciary and universities to encourage research, policy innovation, and reform-oriented engagement.

Highlighting that legal education grounded in real-world application better prepares future lawyers, she argued this approach would empower them to navigate and shape dynamic justice systems responsibly.

She also underscored the moral weight of law, urging educators to teach “not only the provisions of the penal code, but also the poetry of a legal text.” She spoke to the need for lawyers to recognise both the harshness of injustice and the redemptive potential of law when applied with courage and compassion.

Addressing young law graduates, she offered encouragement: “The path may not be easy, but it will be worth it. The law will test your patience, your ideas, and your convictions. But in time, you will come to know its quiet dignity, its fierce compassion, and its unmatched power to operate.”

Acknowledging the challenges ahead, she affirmed that reform efforts are grounded in a commitment to national interests and social progress. “This is why we are confident that collaboration among educators, practitioners, and policymakers will lead to meaningful change,” she said.

She also outlined a flexible strategy for legal education reform-observing that while some traditional methods should be preserved, others must be adapted or replaced with innovative approaches that prioritise sustainable development and inclusivity.

Recommending the concept of a tripartite partnership involving public institutions, private stakeholders, and community members, she said this is to ensure that reforms benefit all facets of society and promote a more just and equitable future.

Firmly rejecting the notion that legal education is a static burden, she stressed it must be viewed as a vital instrument for national growth and justice in need of consistent review and revision. “Whether through classroom learning, practical engagement, or community partnerships, our goal is to empower the next generation of legal minds to contribute effectively to society,” she remarked.

The Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, boasts a 75-year legacy of nurturing exceptional legal minds who have profoundly impacted public life, both locally and internationally. Our alumni network includes a President of the Republic, numerous Chief Justices, Judges of the Supreme, Appellate and Original Courts, distinguished legal professionals from both the Official and Unofficial Bar, corporate leaders, C – level employees and other distinguished luminaries.

The proceeds from the Chief Justice Murdu Fernando felicitation ceremony will be directed towards the Alumni Association’s Education Trust which provides stipends and scholarships to disadvantaged students of the Faculty of Law, ensuring they can continue their studies without interruption and contribute to the future of our nation’s legal landscape.

Pix by Samantha Perera