The Jaffna Law Conference 2024, held on 27–28 January 2024 at the Hoover Auditorium, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, brought together an exceptional mix of legal minds, scholars, and students for two days of rich dialogue and knowledge-sharing.

Jointly organized by the Department of Law, University of Jaffna, and Surana & Surana International Attorneys (Chennai), the conference served as a dynamic platform for critical discussions on contemporary legal challenges facing Sri Lanka and the broader region.

Distinguished Guests and Keynote Speakers

The event was graced by several eminent figures from the legal and academic spheres:

Chief Guests:

Mr. Sanjay Rajaratnam, PC, Attorney-General of Sri Lanka (27 January)

Justice Yasantha Kodagoda, PC, Judge of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka (28 January)

Guests of Honour:

Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy, former UN Under-Secretary-General and human rights advocate

Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne, PC, constitutional expert and former Member of Parliament

Keynote Speakers:

Day 1:

Dr. K. Kanag-Isvaran, PC, renowned legal scholar and senior counsel

Emeritus Professor M. Sornarajah, National University of Singapore, leading expert in international investment law

Day 2:

Professor Rohit De, Yale University, acclaimed historian of constitutional law in South Asia

Dr. Vinod Surana, CEO and Managing Partner, Surana & Surana International Attorneys

Engaging Panel Discussions

Two timely and thought-provoking panel discussions captured the essence of the conference’s academic and practical focus:

“The Future of Public Law in Sri Lanka: Crises and Opportunities”

Chaired by Mr. V.T. Thamilmaran, this session featured insights from Prof. D. Samararatne, N. Perera (Transparency International Sri Lanka), Dr. N. de Mel, and Th. Weragoda.

“The Law’s Role in Overcoming Sri Lanka’s Economic Crisis”

Moderated by Dr. N. de Mel, the panel included Dr. M. Thiruvarangan, Dr. K. Karunaanithy, and Ms. Bhavani Fonseka, focusing on legal frameworks for reform and accountability.

A Hub for Networking and Knowledge Sharing The Jaffna Law Conference 2024 attracted a diverse audience including legal practitioners, academics, researchers, and students, offering a rare opportunity for collaborative engagement and intellectual exchange in the Northern Province.By hosting renowned figures from both local and international institutions, the conference reaffirmed Jaffna’s growing importance as a centre for legal education and dialogue in South Asia.