‘Know Your Neethi’ campaign debuts to championing legal literacy in Sri Lanka

Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara, Ambassador of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Carmen Moreno, and UNDP Sri Lanka Resident Representative Azusa Kubota

• The Support to Justice Sector (JURE) project aims to bolster legal awareness through the ‘Know Your Neethi’ campaign

A new public initiative titled ‘Know Your Neethi’ (i.e. Know Your Laws) campaign was formally launched yesterday, bringing together national leadership and international partners in a unified effort to make legal knowledge accessible to all Sri Lankans. 

The launch was attended by Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Carmen Moreno, and UNDP in Sri Lanka Resident Representative Azusa Kubota, along with key officials from institutions and partners in the field.

The campaign seeks to demystify the law and promote legal literacy primarily in local languages on issues that affect everyday life, covering key issues including anti-corruption, domestic violence, employment rights, environmental protection, computer crimes, and drug-related offences.

A 2022 study in Sri Lanka’s Ratnapura Police Division revealed that low legal literacy had contributed to 65% of participants becoming victims of crimes, and 85% facing difficulties within the criminal justice system. A lack of legal knowledge was also a contributing factor among 90% of study participants who had engaged in criminal activities.

Speaking on the timeliness of such a campaign, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara noted, “In a world shaped by rapid technological advances, environmental challenges, and shifting social norms, it is our duty to ensure that people are enabled to seek protection of the law with confidence and clarity. Know Your Neethi’s goal is to reaffirm our commitment to develop a justice system that is inclusive, participatory, and transparent.”

This initiative is a part of the Support to Justice Sector Project (JURE), funded by the European Union, jointly implemented by UNDP and UNICEF Sri Lanka, and facilitated by the Ministry of Justice. It builds on the extensive efforts of the JURE project towards enhancing access to justice across Sri Lanka and its proven impact – in 2024 alone, over 40,000 individuals received legal aid and participated in legal awareness sessions supported by the project.

Commenting on the initiative, Ambassador of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Carmen Moreno stated, “The law must not only protect—it must empower individuals. And that empowerment begins with knowledge. Informed citizens are more likely to participate in public dialogue, contribute to legal reforms, and hold those in power to account. A legal culture based on transparency and participation makes justice more effective for everyone.”

The Know Your Neethi campaign is centred on a dynamic hub of legal literacy, where viewers can access short films, expert interviews, and explainer videos in Sinhala and Tamil. Hosted across YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, the campaign channel offers simplified, engaging content designed to make legal information accessible, relatable, and actionable.

More than a digital campaign, Know Your Neethi will also extend its reach into communities. A two-day legal awareness camp is scheduled to take place starting with Badulla later this year, providing vulnerable communities in the area with vital access to legal education, legal aid clinics, and opportunities to engage directly with legal institutions.

Highlighting UNDP’s role, UNDP in Sri Lanka Resident Representative Azusa Kubota commented, “This campaign is about more than information – it’s about empowerment and making sure that every person in Sri Lanka has the confidence to say that they understand their rights – their ‘neethi’. UNDP together with the project partners are proud to bring together experts from the legal landscape to empower people to understand their rights, while contributing to a more just, resilient, and inclusive society.”

Know Your Neethi emerges from this urgent context with a powerful message: legal knowledge is not a luxury; it is a tool for prevention, protection, and justice. By making legal information accessible and understandable, the campaign aspires to build a society where every person knows their rights, understands their responsibilities, and has the means to seek justice.