annual report of the legal aid commission of sri …

ANNUAL REPORT

OF

THE LEGAL AID COMMISSION OF SRI LANKA

2011

Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka

No 129, Hultsdorf Street,

High Court Complex Premises

Colombo 12

Sri Lanka

General Tel 011-2433618

Chairman Tele/Fax 011 2395894

Director General Tele 011 5835329

Fax 011 5552009

[email protected]

Website: www.legalaidcommission.com

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.legalaidcommission.com/

VISION

EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE

To create a society where all deserving Sri Lankans

have equal access to justice. irrespective of their economic or social status, gender,

caste, creed or nationality or of being disabled.

His Excellency Mahinda Rajapakse being welcomed by traditional Kandyan Dancers as he is being led to the SLFI Hall by Chairman Mr. S.S.Wijeratane to participate in an LAC Programme

MISSION

The Legal Aid Commission has undertaken many ambitious projects to achieve the above vision.

To establish Legal Aid centers in courts premises island-wide to give legal aid by representing deserving persons in courts of law and tribunals and render assistance to them in other related matters.

To give legal advice to the public who call over either at the Head Office or at the LAC Centers, or at the Awareness Programmes conducted by the LAC or via Legal Aid Q & A Pages in newspapers and also via TV channels and through the LAC publications.

To appear in Supreme Court in cases of violations of rights – via the Human Rights Bureau of the Commission.

To enhance the activities of the Developmental Legal Aid Units – Units for Migrant Workers, the Elderly, Women & Children, Prison inmates etc.

To conduct Legal Aid Clinics, Legal Awareness & Training Programmes for Public, Public Officials inclusive of Police officers, Prisoners, Lawyers, School-Children, the Disabled., Migrant Workers, and the Elderly.

ABSTRACT

WORK ACCOMPLISHMENTS-THE LEGAL AID COMMISSION OF SRI LANKA

31.12.2011 Detailed statistics are annexed in the Statistical Data Chapter

No of Cases brought forward from year 2010 for the year 2011 18,523 No of cases filed in the year 2011 9,197 No of cases concluded in the year 2011 4,745 No of cases pending as at 31.12.2011 22,975 No of first time consultations in the year 2011 34,693 No of total consultations inclusive of repeat consultations (approx) 103,618 The total number of consultations are calculated based on the following formula: No of First time consultations + 3 (No of cases pending at 31.12.2011) 34,693+ 3(22,975) = 103,618 Basis for the above computation: A litigant in a court case or in a tribunal has to visit an LAC center more than once. In pending cases and in new cases filed the numbers of consultations may number three per case. The number of consultations are definitely more than the above quoted numbers though the numbers have been limited three consultations per case. No of persons given legal assistance in the year 2011 57,668 Basis of above computation No of first time consultations + No of cases B/F from 2010 to 2011: 34,693+22,975= 57,668 No of awareness programmes / legal clinics 188 Training Programmes: 2 ( Each Programme comprise two segments and each segment has no of working sessions)

MAP OF SRI LANKA WITH SIXTY (67) CENTERS Extracted from www.legalaidcommissiom.com

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

The Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka (LAC), established in 1978 mainly to provide legal assistance to deserving persons by the Law No. 27, during its rather short history, has become a multi - faceted organization catering to an array of needs of the people in Sri Lanka. In addition to the full- fledged Head Office located at Colombo High Court Premises, there are sixty seven (2011) Court - Based Regional LAC Centers throughout the country. The Centers are connected through a network and the Head Office has instant video access to them. Well over 100 Attorneys - at - Law are employed by the LAC today. During a mere seven year period, the number of Regional LAC Centers increased from 10 to 67, indicating the rapid growth of wider access to justice in Sri Lanka. Apart from being the island's only state supported legal aid provider for the deserving, the LAC has successfully emerged as the main source of legal empowerment for general public and public servants through a host of awareness programmes and electronic and print media. Other special programmes of the LAC include the Bench and Bar Programme, Legal Apprentice Programme, Prison Programme etc. Apart from the State Grants, these programmes were made possible by the support extended by national and international donors such as the UNDP, UNV, NRC, EU, IDLO. To attend to special issues

of legal nature, such as elders' rights, consumer rights, rights of migrant workers etc. the LAC introduced the highly successful 'Legal Aid Desk' or Bureau Concept. Mr. S.S. Wijeratne giving the keynote address at the Annual Sessions for the island-wide Legal Aid Lawyers

Recently, the country recovering steadily from a bitter history motivated the LAC to conduct programmes with new vigour and covering new dimensions. The LAC conducted the Colloquium on Post Conflict Legal Recovery concurrent to the Asian - African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) sessions held in Sri Lanka in 2011. The Three – Day Colloquium on Legal Empowerment of Northern Province Local Government Representatives and Officials was also held in 2011. Special Awareness Programmes were conducted, particularly focusing the Northern, Eastern and North Central Provinces (The Rajarata Neethi Udanaya), and also to coincide with the Deyata Kirula 2011/2012 Programme. Initiating a country – wide Neethi Udanaya (Legal Awakening) Programme, the LAC intends to conduct the Ruhunurata Neethi Udanaya focusing the Hambanthota DS Division in February, 2012.

The emerging needs of the society prompted the LAC to step into many new ventures. The introduction of a Certificate Course in Para Legal Studies in 2011 was one such venture. Next year (2012) the third batch, comprising participants from diverse backgrounds, will commence the Para - Legal Certificate Course. As an answer to a crying need of the country, special Damage Recovery Unit related to Motor Accidents (DRUMA) was also established at the Head Office and it is intended to implement the activities of this unit with effect from the year 2012.

The above survey illustrates the quantity and the quality of the services rendered by the LAC for legal

empowerment of the people and country.

This year a record number of awareness programmes-clinics numbering 188 were conducted island-wide.

This was made possible by funding received from donor agencies as well as from the State Grant.

In appreciation of LAC’s service, His Excellency the President this year, in introducing the 2012 Budget in his

Speech mentioned the LAC's contribution towards the legal empowerment of rural masses.

“The Legal Aid Commission also conducts legal aid clinics at village level with the objective of providing

legal aid to the low income earners. I propose to allocate Rs. 100 million in this regard”.

It is my duty to thank all, whose efforts made it possible to make the LAC’s contribution towards Access to

Justice Programme in Sri Lanka, as one of the best in Asia.

S.S.Wijeratne Chairman Legal Aid Commission 31.12.2011

MESSAGE FROM THE COMPILER The 2011 Annual Report is the sixth annual report commencing from the year 2006 that has been compiled by me. The success of each assignment has been the encouragement given by the Chairman, to carry out the assignments. It is a fact that it is the interest, commitment and dedication of Mr. Wijeratne that made the LAC progress rapidly over the past 6 years.

The State Grant to LAC via the Ministry of Justice is highly appreciated. Additionally the funding agencies have also complemented the financial grant of the State with their generous contributions. The Annual Report of the year 2008 recorded the growth of the LAC from the inception up to the year 2008 marking 30 years of existence. It is encouraging to note that funding authorities

and other institutions make reference to the data in the LAC Annual Reports in their research papers. The statistical section of the report is the most important part of the report emphasizing the end-results of the varied activities implemented by the LAC. It helps to assess the areas and the centers that need improvement and also note the successes of centers whose achievement have surpassed expectations. The theme for this year 2011 is PEACE & RECONCILIATION. The LAC had its presence in the North and the East in conflict times by operating its centers in Jaffna, Vavuniya, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Akkaraipattue and Kalmunai. But the activities expanded with UNDP and the NRC funding the existing centers in the North and the East and also funding the newly established centers at Muttur, Pottuvil, Chavakachcheri, Point Pedro, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi. This has been a step in the right direction with the LAC contributing towards peace and reconciliation in the country. The year 2011 record a high number of Programmes and Clinics carried out island-wide: 188 in all. These programmes were instrumental in increasing the legal knowledge of the public, the public officials including Police Officers, students etc. Additionally the Para Legal Programme commenced this year. The Training Programme for legal apprentices which commenced last year continued this year. In conclusion I extend my thanks to Ms. Viranthi Senaratne, Chief Accountant for the Financial Report 2011, Ms. Thushari Sakunthala, Legal Officer (Colombo) and Mr.Sarath Weerakoon, Office Assistant (Colombo) for assisting in the compilation of the Colombo statistics and Management Assistants, Ms. Kanchana Jayaweera and Ms. Lakmini Dharmadasa for their assistance in numerous ways. Special mention has to be made of some of the outstation Legal Officers and Management Assistants who are too numerous to mention by name for forwarding of statistical details in proper formats on the due dates. Nelum Gamage Senior Consultant/Director 31.12.2011

CONTENTS

Administration Report Chapter No Content 1.00 Introduction-The Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka (LAC) Year 2011 - Contributing Towards Peace & Reconciliation & Continuity of the Transformation Process. 01.01 The Constitution of the Legal Aid Commission-LAC 02.00 Litigation, centers, staff strength. Infrastructure facilities etc. 2.01 Litigation Supervision The Cadre of the LAC 2.02 The Constitution of the Center-Staff 2.03 Legal Aid Beneficiaries 2.04 Increase in Number of Centers & Staff Strength 2.05 Progress of center establishment & increase in staff - strength at a glance 2.06 The work areas of the LAC 03.00 Expansion of the LAC over the years. 04.00 The Role of the Justice Ministry 04.01 Minister’s nominees in LAC 04.02 Annual State Grant 04.03 Infrastructure Position as at 31, December 2011 (Schedule) 04.04 Diagram indicating rented and non rented LAC Centers 05.00 North-East Activities 06.00 Future 07.00 Statistical Report 08. 00 Awareness Programmes & Clinics & Other Activities 09.00 Social Activities of LAC Personnel

Finance Report

Administration Report

CHAPTER 1

01.00 Introduction

Year 2011 - Contributing Towards Peace & Reconciliation s & Continuity of Transformation. The Legal Aid Commission (LAC) of Sri Lanka established in the year 1978 by Law No 27 of 1978 completes 33 years this year - 2011. The Year 2010 was recognized as the Year of Transformation. But whilst the activities of LAC in the year 2011 is the contribution of LAC towards Achieving Peace and Reconciliation in the legal sector via legal assistance to deserving persons, the transformation process of LAC continues. A remarkable feature of the LAC is its ability and flexibility as an institution to continuously adjust with changing circumstances and strive at all times to make Equal Access to Justice for All a reality Sri Lanka. The year 2011 - The year of Achieving Peace and Reconciliation in the area of providing legal assistance to the vulnerable groups by implementation of its activities with emphasis in the North and the East and in the border villages affected by the civil strife. This process commenced towards the latter part of 2010 but was continued with vigour and commitment in the year 2011.

1.01 The Constitution of the Legal Aid Commission-LAC

By section 5 of the Legal Aid Law No 27 of 1978 the Legal Aid Commission comprise of three members appointed by the Hon. Minister of Justice and six members appointed by the Bar Council of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka. The Chairman is appointed by the Members of the Commission and one Member is also selected as Administrator of the Commission. All activities of the Commission are carried out under the guidance and directives and decisions of the Chairman and Members of the Commission. The LAC functions on a State Grant that is allocated annually under the Vote of the Ministry of Justice. Additionally aid agencies fund special programs. In the year 2011 the UNDP and the NRC played a major role in funding core activities as well as awareness programmes, clinics and training programmes.

Chapter 2.00 This chapter deals with all aspects of litigation, centers, staff strength. Infrastructure facilities etc. 2.01 Litigation Supervision: The Legal Division of the LAC is under the direct supervision of the Director General. Any legal queries that arise on a day to day basis are resolved by seeking advice from the DG or one of the more senior lawyers in the Head Office. The Commission monitors the performance of litigation sector in the LAC Head Office and the centers on a monthly basis at its monthly Commission meetings. 2.02 The Constitution of the Center-Staff A Director or a Legal Officer is in charge of each Center along with a Management Assistant. In Centers where the work load is heavy or in centers located in High Court jurisdictions the staff comprise of more than one lawyer and more than one Management Assistant. Some of the Centers have Office Assistants as well 2.03 Legal Aid Beneficiaries The Statute stipulates that legal advice, legal representation in courts and community legal aid clinics are targeted deserving persons. The term ‘deserving persons’ had not been defined in the law and had been given an interpretation by the LAC using the internationally recognized tests –

(1) Means test (2) Justice test

Means test Deserving persons under the ‘means test’ are those individuals receiving a monthly income of Rs. 8000.00 or an income less than Rs.8,000/= per month. The income level has to be certified by the Grama Niladhari of the area. It has been proposed to increase the income level from Rs. 8000.00 per month to Rs. 12,000.00 per month in the year 2012. Justice test The justice test would be used to provide legal aid when the ambit of the litigation transcends adjudication of personal disputes to affect a group or a wider class of persons. Special status for women in maintenance cases Legal aid is available to all women seeking maintenance for themselves and for their children irrespective of their income/financial status. Special circumstances In appropriate cases, the Chairman, the Director General or Director of a relevant center is authorized and has the discretion to be flexible in providing legal aid to destitute persons whose income level may exceed Rs.8,000/= per month. From year 2012 it is proposed to increase the income level to Rs.12,000 per month.

2.04 Increase in Number of Centers & Staff Strength -Statistical Data 31.12.2011

Center Location

&

Year of Establishment

Staff Position as at 31.12.2011.

Lawyers Other Staff

Management total 7( All lawyers)

Chairman 1

Director General 2

Consultants 3

Secretary to Commission. 1

Litigation Sector

Lawyers 11

21

Executive:

Accountants 3

Consultant 1

Non Executive 17

Man. Assts, Office Assts, Drivers etc

Total Female Male Total Female Male

01)Colombo 1978

11 10 1 21 16 5

02) Kandy 1994

3 1 2 2 2 0

03) Anuradhpura 1994

2 1 1 3 2 1

04) Galle 1994

2

2

0

2

1

1

05) Kurunegala 1996

2 1 1 2 1 1

06) Amparai 2003

1 1 0 1 1 0

07) Hambanthota 2003

2 1 1 1 1 0

08)Kegalle 2003

2 1 1 1 1 0

09) Monaragala 2003

1 1 0 1 0 1

10)Nuwaraeliya 2003

2 1 1 1 0 1

11) Vavuniya 2005

2 1 1 2 1 1

12) Chilaw 2005

2 1 1 2 1 1

13) Akkaraipattu 2006

2 0 2 2 0 2

14) Balapitiya 2006

2 1 1 2 1 1

15) Batticaloa 2006

2 0 2 1 0 1

16) Kalmunai 2006

1 1 2 0 1 1

17) Matara 2006

3 3 2 2 0 0

18) Negombo 2006

1 1 1 1 0 0

Center Location & Year of Establishment

Staff Position as 31.12.2011

Lawyers Other Staff


19) Ratnapura 2006

2 2 0 1 1 0

20) Kalutara 2006

2 2 0 2 1 1

21) Bandarawela 2006

1 1 0 1 0 1

22)Awissawella 2006

2 2 0 1 1 0

23) Matale 2006

1 1 0 1 1 0

24) Jaffna 2006

2 1 1 2 0 2

25) Trincomalee 2006

2

0

2

2

2

0

26) Polonnaruwa 2006

1 0 1 1 0 1

27) Panadura 2006

1 1 0 1 1 0

28) Kuliyapitiya 2006

1 1 0 2 1 1

29) Gampaha 2006

2 2 0 2 1 1

30) Mahiyangana 2006

1 1 0 1 1 0

31) Maho 2006

1 1 0 1 1 0

32) Horana 2007

1 1 0 1 1 0

33) Attanagalla 2007

1 1 0 1 1 0

34) Mathugama 2007

1 1 0 1 0 1

35) Dambulla 2007

1 1 0 1 1 0

36) Deniyaya 2007

1 1 0 1 1 0

37) Mawanella 2007

1 1 0 1 1 0

38) Marawila 2007

1 1 0 1 1 0

39) Warakapola 2007

2 2 0 1 1 0

40) Battaramulla 2007

1

1 0 1 1 0



Lawyers Other Staff


41) Nugegoda 2008

1 1 0 1 1 0

42) Welimada 2008

1 1 0 1 1 0

43) Kanthalai 2008

1 1 0 1 1 0

44)Thambuthtega2008

1 1 0 2 2 0

45) Mt. Lavinia 2008

1 1 0 2 1 1

46)Thissamahara 2008

1 1 0 1 1 0

47) Baddegama 2009

1 1 0 1 1 0

48)Badulla 2009

1 1 0 1 1 0

49)Embilipitiya 2009

1 1 0 1 1 0

50)Wallasmulla 2009

1 0 1 2 0 2

51)Hingurakgod 2009

1 1 0 1 1 0

52) Hatton 2009

1 1 0 1 1 0

53)Nawalapitiya 2009

1 1 0 1 1 0

54)Wellawaya 2009

1 1 0 2 1 1

55)Tangalle 2010

1 1 0 2 2 0

56) Mannar 2010

2 1 1 2 1 1

57)Mutuur 2010

0 0 0 2 2 0

58)Mullaitivu 2010

1 1 0 2 1 1

60) Valachchenai2010

1 1 0 1 0 1

61) Kaduwela 2010

1 1 0 1 1 0

62)Balangoda 2011

1 1 0 1 1 0

63) Kekirawa 2011

1 1 0 1 1 0



Lawyers Other Staff


64) Wariyapola 2011

1

1

0

1

1

0

65) Potuvil 2011

1 1 0 1 1 0

66) Chavakachch 2011

0 0 0 1 1 0

67) Pt. Pedro 2011

0 0 0 1 1 0

TOTAL STRENGTH

96 72 25 112 77 35

Staff Classification of all 67 Centers of 2011 Management (All legal personnel) 7 Legal 96 Non legal 112 Total Strength 215

Justice Nissanka Udalagama at the ceremonial opening of the LAC Center at Chavakachcheri.

2.05 Progress of Center Establishment & increase in staff strength : Commencing from year 2006

YEAR

No of Centers

STAFF

Lawyer

Strength

Non Lawyer

Strength

Total

Strength

2006

33

72

Inclusive of the Chairman,

Director General, Secretary to the

Commission (part time) and

Consultant.

66

138

2007

42

.

91




Consultant

76

167

2008

31.08.08

48

Inclusive of Prisons Unit &

the Colombo Tsunami

Center

78




Consultant.

78

156

2009

54

.

84




Consultants.

83

167

2010 61

Exclusive of Prisons Unit

and the Colombo Tsunami

Center which have been

amalgamated with the

Colombo center at Head

Office

101




Consultants

91 192

2011 67

Same as above

321



Commission

and Four Consultants one of

whom does LT work & FR Cases

and other litigation work

105

216

Mr. S.S.Wijeratne Chairman, LAC giving a welcome address to a Programme conducted by LAC and financed by the Equal Access to Justice Project of the Ministry of National Languages and Social Integration Justices Hector S. Yapa, and Nissanka Udalagama and fFormer Chairman of the LAC, Mr. Upali Gunaratne P.C. are also at the Head Table.

Ceremonial Opening of a Schools Programme conducted by the LAC

2.05 Continued Progress of center establishment & increase in staff - strength at a glance

The lawyer –non lawyer categories percentagewise is shown below: Total Cadre Strength of 215 Lawyers: 48 % (103) Non- Lawyers: 52 % (112)

Total cadre strength 215 Female employees 153 Male Employees 62

Lawyers

Non Lawyers

Female employees

Male Employees

2.05 Continued: No of Center increase shown graphically

1 4 5

10 12

33

42

48

54

61

67

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015

No

.of

Cen

ters

Year

2.06 The areas of work of the LAC has increased over the years and now comprise the following:

a) Civil Litigation b) Criminal Defense in Magistrate’s Courts & bail in MC High Court and Court of Appeal cases c) Violations of Rights Cases

(Human Rights Bureau) d) Representation in other forums: e.g. Labour Tribunal, Attorney General’s Department, Debt

Conciliation Board, Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau, Workmen’s Compensation Tribunal e) Consultations & Counseling on various matters with emphasis on legal matters f) Conducting Awareness Programmes g) Legal Assistance via Media Question & Answer Pages in Newspapers. Other Media Programs h) Developmental Legal Aid Desks:

*Training of Legal Apprentices Desk *Elders Rights Desk * Prisoner’s Rights Desk *Women & Children’s Rights Desk *Disabled Persons Rights Desk *Desk for the preparation of Civil Documents *Migrant Workers Rights Desk Of the above services implemented by the LAC special mention is made of the following areas:

Complaints referred to the LAC by the Supreme Court under Rule 44 (7) (b) of the Supreme Court Rules:

This refers to instances where a person complaints to the Supreme Court on his behalf or on behalf of another of an infringement or imminent infringement of a fundamental right or language right. If such complaints disclose a prima facie of such breach of fundamental right, the Chief Justice may assign a Supreme Court Judge to exercise his/her discretion to direct the registrar to refer such complaint to the Legal Aid Commission or to any attorney-at-law who is a member of any panel or an organization established for such purpose . Such complaints under the aforesaid Rule 44 (7) (b) is to be treated as a petition in writing under and in terms of Article 126 (2). On such reference the LAC shall regularize the matter and file the relevant papers in the Supreme Court and support such application on behalf of the petitioner.

Counseling on legal matters: Consultations Any person may call over at the LAC Head Office or any of its 67 Centers island-wide and seek legal opinion on matter of interest to them. In circumstances where the centers are not in a position to entertain complicated legal issues, the directors or the legal officers of the centers get appropriate advice from Head Office. Priority is given to settle matters.. Litigation is initiated only if there is no alternative legal remedy available

Awareness Programmes: Section 4 (i), the Legal Aid Law stipulates the conducting of awareness programmes by the LAC. The conducting of awareness programs is an integral part of the work of the LAC. This is to educate the public of the laws of the land, their rights and duties etc. This is with the vision that a legally literate public would refrain from violating laws of the land and also they would take timely steps to safeguard their rights. Conducting Awareness Programmes are carried under the direct supervision of the Chairman for the following categories of personnel: 01) Judges & lawyers (Bench and Bar) 02) Legal apprentices 03) Para Legal personnel 04) LAC Lawyers 05) Public inclusive of Plantation Sector Personnel 06) Police personnel 07) School Children & Principals 08) Public officials of varied categories

Top: Justice Hector S. Yapa, Director General of the LAC delivering a lecture at an Awareness Programme. Bottom Mr. Asoka Mahadivulweva, Director, LAC Regional Center, Anuradhapura participating in a Seminar onducted by LAC.

NEWS PAPERS LAC Q & A PAGES SCHEDULE

Name of News paper

Language of News paper

Days of the week Q/A page published

Approx No. of questions per day

Daily News English Every Friday 10 to 12

Lankadeepa Sinhala Every other Tuesday

12

Thinakaran Tamil Every other Wednesday

5 to 7

Other Media:Television & Radio Programmes:Television:

Medium Name of Programme Number of programmes & Language telecast/broadcast

TV Swarnavahini “Mahajana Sevaya Pinisai” -Legal Officers of LAC

10 -Sinhala-Kedapatha

TV Sirasa Two (2) Jeevithayata atha Denna

RADIO SLBC-National Service Legal Officer-head office

Every Monday)Sinhala

RADIO Ruhunu Sevaya L.O. Matara

20 programmes

Chapter 3.00

3.01 Contributory Factors for the Expansion of the LAC over the years

The LAC expansion has been a gradual process. The establishment of LAC Centers over the years is listed at pages 10 to 13 respectively. The expansion was accelerated both by natural causes as well as other contributory factors. The contributory factors for the expansion are fivefold:

1) Amalgamation of the Community Legal Aid Programme (CLAP) of the Ministry of Justice

(MOJ) with the LAC.

The CLAP was more or less duplicating the work of the LAC. Two projects under the same Ministry (MOJ) with the same objective was the reason

for the amalgamation of the CLAP with LAC.

2) The establishment of LAC Centers in least developed areas in Sri Lanka This step was taken so that deserving persons in those areas also had access to legal assistance.

3) Establishment of ‘tsunami centers. The establishment of eleven (11) LAC centers on the aftermath of the tsunami. These were in common parlance referred to as the ‘tsunami centers’. These centers were totally financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Eventually when the agreement with the ADB came to an end the LAC took over the funding from the State Grant with effect from September 2008.

4) Center establishment in the aftermath of the ending of the civil war.

LAC had functioning centers in Jaffna, Vavuniya, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, akkaraipattu and Kalmunai even during the conflict. But at the end of the civil war LAC was able to obtain funding from Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and the EA2JP-UNDP to establish new centers in the conflict affected areas as well fund some of the existing centers.

The position of the categories above are reflected in the chart below: Position as at 31.12.2011 Amalgamation of CLAP Centers of the Ministry of Justice in January 2003 to 31.12.2011.

ADB funded Centers in 2004/05 to August 2008. Funding taken over by the LAC from September 2008.

Amalgamation of the Legal Aid Foundation Centers of the Bar Association : Funded by EA2JP-UNDP and taken over by LAC. on 31.12.2011.

Funding support for Existing LAC Centers from EA2JP. That is supported by EA2JP as at 31.12.2011.

Funding support for new LAC Centers from EA2JP Position as at 31.12.2011

Norwegian Refugee Council(NRC) Funded Centers in 2011 Position as at 31.12.2011

Amparai

Akkaraipattu,

Embilipitiya,

Batticaloa

Chavakachch

Jaffna-ExistingCenter

Hambanthota,

Kalmunai

Hingurakgoda

Akkaraipattu

Point Pedro

Vavuniya-Existing Center

Kegalle,

Batticaloa

Wellawaya,

Kalmunai

Muttur

Mullaitivu Established late 2010

Moneragala

Jaffna

Walsamulla,

Trincomalee

Potuvil

Killinochchi Established late 2010

Nuwaraeliya

Balapitiya, ,

Badulla,

Kanthalai

Mannar

Colombo (Absorbed in to the LAC)

Kalutara

Nawalapitiya

Amparai

Anuradhapura absorbed to LAC

Matara

Hatton

Trincomalee

Tsunami Center-Colombo

Existing center Galle

Existing center Hambanthota

Centers Established in 2011 1)Balangoda 2)Chavakachcheri 3)Kekirawa 4)Point Pedro 5)Potuvil 6)Wariyapola

Chapter 4.00

The Role of the Justice Ministry

04.01 Minister’s nominees in LAC As mentioned earlier of the nine member Legal aid Commission, three members are the nominees of the Minister of Justice. 04.02 Annual State Grant The LAC functions on the funds received from the State via the annual budget under the Ministry of Justice Vote. 04.03 Infrastructure facilities The Ministry of Justice is responsible for the infrastructure facilities of the LAC. A few of the LAC centers as indicated in the schedule in 4.04 functions in rented premises. This is not a favourable situation as experience has shown that the clients access LAC Centers much more when located in courts premises.

04.04 Infrastructure ( Rented/Non Rented) Position as at 31, December 2011

No Center Offices/Centers located in Courts Premises

Rented

Remarks

1 Head Office Yes Permanent Space insufficient

2 Anuradhapura Yes Permanent 3 Kandy Yes Permanent 4 Kurunegala Yes Permanent Space insufficient

5 Galle Yes Permanent Space insufficient

6 Amparai Yes Permanent 7 Hambanthota Yes Permanent 8 Kegalle Yes Permanent 9 Monaragala Yes. Permanent

10 Nuwaraeliya Yes Permanent 11 Vavuniya Yes Permanent 12 Chilaw Yes Permanent 13 Akkaraipattu Yes Permanent 14 Balapitiya Yes Permanent 15 Batticaloa Yes Permanent 16 Kalmunai Yes Permanent 17 Matara Yes Permanent 18 Negombo Yes Permanent Space insufficient

19 Ratnapura Yes Permanent 20 Kalutara Yes Permanent Space insufficient

21 Bandarawela Yes Permanent 22 Awissawella Yes Permanent

23 Matale Yes Permanent 24 Jaffna Yes Permanent 25 Trincomallee Yes Permanent 26 Polonnaruwa Yes Permanent

27 Panadura Yes Permanent 28 Kuliyapitiya Yes Permanent

29 Gampaha Yes Permanent Space insufficient

30 Mahiyangana No Rented 31 Maho Yes Permanent Space insufficient

32 Horana Yes Permanent

33 Attanagalla Yes Permanent

34 Mathugama Yes Permanent Space insufficient

35 Dambulla Yes Permanent

36 Morawaka No Rented

37 Mawanella Yes Rented

Infrastructure Position ( Rented/Non Rented) December 31.12.2011. Continued No Center Offices/Centers

located in Courts Premises

Rented

Remarks

38 Marawila Yes Permanent 39 Warakapola Yes Permanent 40 Battaramulla Yes Permanent .

41 Nugegoda Yes Permanent Space insufficient

42 Welimada Yes Rented

43 Kanthalai Yes Permanent 44 Thambuththegama Yes Permanent 45 Mt. Lavinia Yes Permanent Space insufficient

46 Thissamaharama Yes Permanent 47 Baddegama Yes Permanent 48 Badulla Yes Permanent 49 Embilipitiya Yes Permanent 50 Walasmulla Yes Permanent 51 Hingurakgoda No Rented 52 Hatton No Temporary No proper office

53 Nawalapitiya Yes Permanent 54 Wellawaya Yes Permanent Space insufficient

55 Tangalle Yes Permanent 56 Mannar Yes Permanent 57 Muthur Yes Permanent 58 Mulathiivu Yes Permanent 59 Kilinochchi Yes Permanent 60 Valachchanai Yes Permanent 61 Kaduwela Yes Permanent Space insufficient

62 Balangoda Yes Permanent 63 Kekirawa Yes Permanent 64 Wariyapola Yes Permanent 65 Potuvil Yes Permanent Space insufficient 66 Chavakachcheri Yes Permanent 67 Point Pedro Yes Permanent

No of centers located in rented premises 5 No of centers in rent free-private premises 1 No of centers with insufficient space & No proper Office space: 15

Justice Shiranee Thilakawardena delivering a lecture at the Annual Sessions of LAC-2011

Mr. S.S. Wijeratne, Chairman of LAC conducting a Work Shop at the Raja Rata Neethi Udanaya

Chapter 5.00

Establishment of LAC Centers in the North-East

The LAC appreciates the funding made available to the LAC by the Equal Access to Justice (EA2JP) of the UNDP under the auspices of the Ministry of National Languages and the Norwegian Refugee Council for the Centers I in the North and the East and also for the EA2JP for funding some of the other centers in other parts of the island. Establishment of Centers in the North and the East: C.L. Center location P: Province F: A Funding Agency.

Centers existing during conflict

Centers established in the latter part of 2010

Centers established in 2011:

C L

P

F.A.

C L

P

F A

C L

P

F

Jaffna

North

NRC

Mannar

North

NRC

Chavakacheri

North

UNDP

Vavuniya

North

NRC

Mullaitivu

North

NRC

Point Pedro

North

UNDP

Batticaloa

East

UNDP

Killinochchi

North

NRC

Pottuvil East

UNDP

Akkaraipattu

East

UNDP

Valachchenai

East

UNDP

Kalmunai

East

UNDP

Muttur

East

UNDP

Trincomalee

East

UNDP

Thus in total there are seven (7) centers each in the North and in the East. In the year 2011 the work areas of the existing centers were strengthened and the new centers commenced their activities with commitment and dedication.

6.00 FUTURE…..

1. To Increase the income level of persons given legal representation in courts. The commission has evaluated the category of persons entitled for legal aid. Under Legal Aid Law No 27 of 1978 the persons entitled for legal aid are classified as “deserving persons”. The report has set out the tests for evaluating the ‘deserving persons’ category. At present for the means test a person to be entitled for free court representation should have an income level of Rs. 8000.00 or less than this amount per month. But it is expected to raise the income level of persons deserving legal representation in courts to a sum of Rs. 12,000.00 or less than this amount per month with effect from the year 2012. 2. Office Assistants To evaluate the necessity for office assistants for the centers. 3.Neethi Udanaya Programmes To implement new Projects under the following heads: The component activities are:

a) To increase the number of LAC Centers. b) To implement awareness programmes and clinics under the following heads :

1) Ruhunurata Neethi Udanaya 2) Kandurata Neethi Udanaya 2) Mayarata Neethi Udanaya 4)Rajarata Neethi Udanaya

4. Providing ADSL, webcams to Head office and center This is to monitor the centers as well as have more interaction amongst the LAC Network of Centers established island-wide. 5. Implementing of an – Improved Reporting system from centers by e-mail To collate the monthly annual data by e-mail will definitely make it possible for the centers to send in their reports on due date and in the proper formats. 6. Special Motor Accident Unit- DRUMA As accidents are increasing at a very rapid rate, a special Damage Recovery Unit related to Motor Accidents (DRUMA) was established at the Head Office in 2011.It is intended to implement the activities of this unit with effect from the year 2012.

7.00

STATISTICAL REPORT

7.01 Statistical Report No I Report on Cases and Consultations. 7.02 Statistical Report No II Report on Classification based on lawyer

representation.

7.03 Statistical Report No III Report on Classification based on courts where cases are filed.

7.04 Statistical Report No IV Report on Classification based on nature of cases filed.

7.01 STATISTICS REPORT I - COURT CASES AND CONSULTATIONS

No

Year /Center

Cases B/F from 2010

Cases filed in 2011

Cases concluded

Cases B/F to 2012

Consultations First time

1 2006 Akkaraipattu 446 209 81 574 381

2 2003 Ampara 297 131 75 353 456

3 1994 Anuradapura 1231 193 294 1130 428

4 2007 Attanagalla 281 114 170 225 268

5 2006 Awissawella 410 123 35 498 505

6 2009 Baddegama 97 83 8 172 580

7 2009 Badulla 113 162 113 162 941

8 2006 Balapitiya 403 128 38 493 740

9 2006 Bandarawela 284 96 50 330 325

10 2006 Batticaloa 721 221 36 906 519

11 2005 443 177 91 529 912

12 1978 Colombo 1636 577 168 2045 3810

Colombo closed 513 non working files.

13 2007 Dambulla 183 101 15 269 319

14 2009 Embilipitiya 146 144 100 190 1276

15 1994 Galle 254 86 52 288 1270

16 2006 Gampaha 643 146 56 733 1045

17 2003 Hambantota 184 148 2 330 370

18 2009 Hatton 127 158 110 175 1178

19 2009 Hingurakgoda 75 90 4 161 1417

20 2007 Horana 193 125 21 297 472

21 2006 Jaffna 163 176 31 308 325

22 2007 Battaramulla 187 227 130 284 409

23 2010 Kaduwela 73 135 8 200 378

24 1994 Kandy 1332 397 237 1492 1308

25 2008 Kanthale 110 72 32 150 309

26 2006 Kalmununai 312 154 102 364 129

27 2006 Kalutara 358 112 16 454 334

28 2003 Kegalle 420 108 15 513 341

29 2010 Kilinochchi 12 462 284 190 623

30 2006 Kuliyapitiya 430 169 135 464 521

31 1996 Kurunegala 939 279 149 1069 950

32 2006 Mahiyanganaya 349 149 14 484 373

33 2006 Maho 101 82 27 156 441

34 2010 Mannar 78 96 34 140 615

35 2007 Marawila 110 77 74 113 255

36 2006 Matale 427 116 30 513 249

37 2006 Matara 284 207 198 293 514

38 2007 Mathugama 303 71 24 350 228

39 2007 Mawanella 160 116 57 219 452

40 2003 Monaragala 507 160 101 566 834

41 2007 Morawaka 154 140 80 214 490

No

Year & Center

Cases B/F from 2011

Cases filed in 2011

Cases Concluded

Cases B/F to 2012

Consultations First time

42 2008 Mt.Lavinia 139 124 45 218 362

43 2010 Mullaitivu 0 194 20 174 362

44 2010 Mutur 22 47 15 54 132

45 2009 Nawalapitiya 97 87 32 152 237

46 2006 Negombo 711 129 722 118 353

Negombo: Closed 604 non working files

47 2008 Nugegoda 240 117 71 286 293

48 2003 Nuwaraeliya 282 97 27 352 384

49 2006 Panadura 155 88 35 208 701

50 2006 Polonnaruwa 442 118 33 527 244

51 2006 Ratnapura 269 115 63 321 349

52 2010 Tangalle 9 75 7 77 433

53 2008 Thambuttegama 89 14 2 101 73

54 2008 Thissamaharama 113 127 17 223 309

55 2006 Trincomalee 183 104 95 192 310

56 2010 Valachchenai 25 182 63 144 207

57 2005 Vavuniya 201 118 19 300 573

58 2009 Walasmulla 58 149 99 108 303

59 2007Warakapola 165 72 9 228 231

60 2008 Welimada 149 97 18 228 470

61 2009 Wellawaya 198 188 23 363 551

62 2011 Balangoda 0 38 7 31 83

63 2011 Chavakachcheri 0 7 1 6 25

64 2011 Kekirawa 0 46 1 45 233

65 2011 Pt. Pedro 0 12 9 3 51

66 2011 Potuvil 0 88 14 74 53

67 2011 Wariyapola 0 47 1 46 81

TOTAL 67 Centers 18523 9197 4745 22975 34693

7.02 STATISTICAL REPORT II

Classification of lawyer- representation in Courts

No Center Panel lawyers LAC Lawyers Total No of Cases

1 Akkaraipat 0 574 574

2 Amparai 19 334 353

3 Anuradha 663 467 1130

4 Attanagalla 75 150 225

5 Awissawella 118 380 498

6 Baddegama 36 136 172

7 Badulla 32 130 162

8 Balapitiya 216 277 493

9 Bandaraw 49 281 330

10 Batticaloa 0 906 906

11 Chilaw 123 406 529

12 Colombo 1726 319 2045

13 Dambulla 105 164 269

14 Embilipitiya 0 190 190

15 Galle 21 267 288

16 Gampaha 474 259 733

17 Hambantho 0 330 330

18 Hatton 0 175 175

19 Hingurakgoda 0 161 161

20 Horana 90 207 297

21 Jaffna 159 149 308

22 Juvenile C 0 284 284

23 Kaduwela 114 86 200

24 Kandy 1492 0 1492

25 Kanthalai 4 146 150

26 Kalmaunai 57 307 364

27 Kalutara 73 381 454

28 Kegalle 192 321 513

29 Killinochchi 0 190 190

30 Kuliyapitiya 251 213 464

31 Kurunegala 501 568 1069

32 Mahiyangana 0 484 484

33 Maho 60 96 156

34 Mannar 0 140 140

35 Marawila 14 99 113

36 Matale 136 377 513

37 Matara 104 189 293

No Center Panel lawyers LAC Lawyers Total No of Cases

38 Mathugama 138 212 350

39 Mawanella 52 167 219

40 Monaragala 88 478 566

41 Morawaka 26 188 214

42 Mt. Lavinia 77 141 218

43 Mulaitivu 0 174 174

44 Muttur 0 54 54

45 Nawalapitiya 7 145 152

46 Negombo 16 102 118

47 Nugegoda 164 122 286

48 Nuwaraeliy 90 262 352

49 Panadura 69 139 208

50 Polonnar 154 373 527

51 Ratnapura 154 167 321

52 Tangalle 6 71 77

53 Thabuththegam 0 101 101

54 Thissamaharam 1 222 223

55 Trincomall 20 172 192

56 Valachchanai 0 144 144

57 Vavuniya 0 300 300

58 Walasmulla 4 104 108

59 Warakapola 12 216 228

60 Welimada 65 163 228

61 Wewllawaya 47 316 363

Centers Established in 2011

62 Balangoda 1 30 31

63 Chavakaccheri 0 6 6

64 Kekirawa 3 42 45

65 Point Pedro 0 3 3

66 Potuvil 0 74 74

67 Wariyapola 25 21 46

TOTAL 8123 14852 22975

7.03 STATISTICAL REPORT III

CLASSIIFICATION BASED ON COURTS WHERE CASES ARE FILED

No Center SC AC HC/CA HC DC MC LT WC Others TOTAL

1 Akkaraipat 0 0 0 0 163 398 0 13 574

2 Amparai 0 0 0 2 80 268 3 0 353

3 Anuradha 0 0 14 23 552 538 0 3 1130

4 Attanagalla 0 0 0 0 77 148 0 0 225

5 Awissawella 0 0 11 3 215 259 10 0 498

6 Baddegama 0 0 0 0 12 160 0 0 172

7 Badulla 0 0 5 3 68 86 0 0 162

8 Balapitiya 0 0 0 9 102 381 1 0 493

9 Bandarawela 0 0 0 0 117 201 8 4 330

10 Batticaloa 0 0 0 4 90 812 0 0 906

11 Chilaw 0 0 5 18 51 331 124 0 529

12 Colombo 27 62 0 983 436 364 97 76 2045

13 Dambulla 0 0 0 0 54 215 0 0 269

14 Embilipitiya 0 0 0 0 43 147 0 0 190

15 Galle 0 0 3 2 99 172 4 8 288

16 Gampaha 0 0 10 13 329 376 5 0 733

17 Hambantho 0 0 0 0 193 137 0 0 330

18 Hatton 0 0 0 0 29 146 0 0 175

19 Hingurakgoda 0 0 0 0 0 161 0 0 161

20 Horana 0 0 6 2 103 186 0 0 297

21 Jaffna 0 0 0 0 44 264 0 0 308

22 Juvenile C 0 0 0 0 0 284 0 0 284

23 Kaduwela 0 0 0 0 102 89 9 0 200

24 Kandy 0 0 41 19 732 659 41 0 1492

25 Kanthalai 0 0 0 0 13 137 0 0 150

26 Kalmunai 0 0 0 0 63 301 0 0 364

27 Kalutara 0 0 14 27 122 277 14 0 454

28 Kegalle 0 0 13 39 185 252 24 0 513

29 Kilinochchi 0 0 0 0 60 130 0 0 190

30 Kuliyapitiya 0 0 4 0 104 351 5 0 464

31 Kurunegala 0 0 27 83 336 454 169 0 1069

32 Mahiyangana 0 0 0 0 14 470 0 0 484

33 Maho 0 0 0 0 54 102 0 0 156

34 Mannar 0 0 1 3 31 105 0 0 140

35 Marawila 0 0 0 0 35 78 0 0 113

36 Matale 0 0 0 0 168 345 0 0 513

37 Matara 0 0 2 9 153 120 9 0 293

38 Mathugama 0 0 0 0 40 308 2 0 350

39 Mawanella 0 0 0 0 74 145 0 0 219

No Center SC AC HC/AC HC DC MC LT/WC Others Total

40 Moneragala 0 0 0 5 146 415 0 0 566

41 Morawaka 0 0 0 0 36 152 26 0 214

42 Mt. Lavinia 0 0 23 0 93 98 4 0 218

43 Mullaitivu 0 0 0 0 132 42 0 0 174

44 Mutur 0 0 0 0 7 32 0 15 54

45 Nawalapitiya 0 0 0 0 33 119 0 0 152

46 Negombo 0 0 0 0 58 60 0 0 118

47 Nugegoda 0 0 0 0 177 98 11 0 286

48 Nuwaraeliy 0 0 0 2 82 264 4 0 352

49 Panadura 0 0 0 20 85 94 9 0 208

50 Polonnar 0 0 0 2 258 267 0 0 527

51 Ratnapura 0 0 4 11 131 169 6 0 321

52 Tangalle 0 0 4 2 26 45 0 0 77

53 Thabuththe 0 0 0 0 0 101 0 0 101

54 Thissamahara 0 0 0 0 52 171 0 0 223

55 Trincomall 0 0 4 6 67 99 16 0 192

56 Valachchanai 0 0 0 0 4 111 0 29 144

57 Vavuniya 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

58 Walasmulla 0 0 0 2 72 34 0 0 108

59 Warakapola 0 0 0 0 4 224 0 0 228

60 Welimada 0 0 0 0 171 57 0 0 228

61 Wellawaya 0 0 0 1 124 237 0 1 363

62 Balangoda 0 0 0 1 15 15 0 0 31

63 Chavakachcheri 0 0 0 0 1 5 0 0 6

64 Kekirawa 0 0 0 0 14 31 0 0 45

65 Point Pedro 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 3

66 Potuvil 0 0 0 0 3 32 0 39 74

67 Wariyapola 0 0 0 0 28 18 0 0 46

TOTAL 27 62 191 1296 7032 13575 601 191 22975

7.04 STATISTICAL REPORT No IV - CLASSIFICATION BASED ON NATURE OF CASES FILED No Center DI Main Mon

Bail Cr DV Sp/Ms Cus

GAL Lan Pn

VC Lab WC

66

81

Null Juv Traff Test

NF Prob Pr. Pl

Quazi Total

1 Akkaraipattu 28 179 69 0 1 0 51 1 37 28 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 9 167 574

2 Amparai 41 253 27 0 15 0 4 0 10 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 353

3 Anuradapura 150 534 221 6 33 0 66 10 99 3 3 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 1130

4 Attanagalla 27 121 37 0 3 2 0 0 11 22 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 225

5 Awissawella 91 223 87 3 6 7 0 9 38 22 11 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 498

6 Baddegama 8 97 14 2 6 1 9 0 32 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 172

7 Badulla 38 78 20 0 3 0 4 0 9 5 2 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 162

8 Balapitiya 43 238 40 9 5 9 9 25 10 96 1 0 0 0 1 7 0 0 0 493

9 Bandarawela 66 188 37 0 0 1 5 1 8 16 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 330

10 Batticalo 47 810 26 4 0 2 3 0 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 906

11 Chilaw 23 317 19 0 0 2 1 1 7 19 140 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 529

12 Colomb o 67 364 186 983 0 0 165 0 183 0 97 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2045

13 Dambulla 32 200 11 0 0 0 10 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 0 269

14 Embilipitiya 29 145 10 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 190

15 Galle 35 176 55 1 0 0 3 3 4 5 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 288

16 Gampaa 216 335 62 13 0 2 0 0 59 39 5 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 733

17 Hambantota 38 139 31 5 98 0 6 0 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 330

18 Hatton 23 90 6 0 52 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 175

19 Hingurakgoda 0 70 0 0 0 5 3 0 0 82 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 161

20 Horana 45 146 50 0 3 5 35 0 11 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 297

21 Jaffna 30 228 6 0 13 23 1 0 6 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 308

22 Bambalapitiy 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 97 2 0 0 0 179 0 0 0 0 0 284

23 Kaduwela 34 59 43 0 0 9 9 0 16 21 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 200

24 Kandy 236 561 271 0 29 41 85 0 167 23 56 23 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1492

25 Kanthalai 7 124 4 0 3 2 0 0 2 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 150

26 Kalmunai 13 142 10 0 0 2 0 1 2 6 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 3 175 364

27 Kalutara 58 187 34 25 15 2 24 0 18 72 15 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 454

28 Kegalle 76 232 69 22 9 0 6 2 47 26 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 513

29 Killinocci 6 73 18 0 15 25 0 2 34 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 190

30 Kuliyapitiya 41 228 47 0 64 2 3 1 22 51 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 464

31 Kurunegala 125 315 153 175 0 9 45 0 66 8 173 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1069

32 Mahiyangana 6 470 6 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 484

33 Maho 34 88 17 0 8 0 1 0 1 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 156

34 Mannar 24 50 0 3 0 0 39 0 8 0 0 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 140

35 Marawila 6 43 32 0 3 1 0 1 3 1 9 0 0 0 14 0 0 0 0 113

36 Matale 81 330 48 0 15 0 3 0 36 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 513

37 Matara 88 66 39 15 0 0 15 0 21 40 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 293

38 Mathugama 13 295 6 0 0 4 3 0 18 9 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 350

39 Mawanella 29 106 18 17 0 0 3 0 18 28 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 219

40 Monaragala 82 412 35 8 0 0 12 0 0 0 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 566

41 Morawaka 35 146 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 5 26 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 214

42 Mt. Lavinia 38 72 29 16 0 3 2 0 36 15 4 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 218

43 Mullaitivu 15 63 14 0 18 8 5 8 27 7 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 174

Index DI Divorce Main Maintenance MON Money Bail Bail Cr Criminal DV Domestic Violence Sp Special Misc Miscellaneous Cus Custody GAL Guardian Ad Litem Lan Land Pn Partition VC Victims of Crime Lab Labour WC Workmen’s Compensation 66 Section 66 Application 81 Section 81 Application Null Nullity Juv Juvenile Traff Traffic Test Testamentary NF Next Friend Prob Probate Pr Pl Private Plaint Quazi Quazi

No Center DI Main MON Bail Cr DV Sp

Misc

Cus

GAL

Lan

Pn

VC Lab

WC

66

81

Null Juv Traff

Test

NF

Prob Pr

Pl

Quazi Total

44 Muttur 4 29 2 1 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 54

45 Nawalapitiya 16 80 8 5 0 0 38 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 152

46 Negombo 35 59 17 0 0 1 2 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 118

47 Nugegoda 36 78 21 75 0 1 6 0 12 43 11 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 286

48 Nuwaraeliya 58 202 10 2 61 4 2 0 7 0 4 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 352

49 Panadura 29 86 33 20 0 2 5 1 17 6 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 208

50 Polonnaruwa 65 209 90 12 48 3 47 0 53 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 527

51 Ratnapura 56 157 40 1 4 6 0 0 42 3 9 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 321

52 Tangalle 20 39 10 2 0 0 0 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 77

53 Thambutega 0 101 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 101

54 Thissamahara 41 164 3 0 3 4 3 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 223

55 Trincomalee 24 79 40 0 16 2 2 2 11 0 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 192

56 Valachcanai 0 109 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 29 144

57 Vavuniya 53 221 2 0 0 0 0 3 17 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 300

58 Walasmulla 24 40 8 0 32 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 108

59 Warakapola 3 178 1 0 0 33 11 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 228

60 Welimada 39 146 11 0 22 0 2 0 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 228

61 Wellawaya 73 220 38 1 10 5 0 0 11 2 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 363

62 Balangoda 8 14 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 31

63 Chavakacheri 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6

64 Kekirawa 10 14 1 0 16 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 45

65 Point Pedro 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3

66 Potuvil 2 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 39 74

67 Wariyapola 4 11 18 4 0 0 1 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 46

Total 2725 11267 2264 1431 629 238 751 174 1265 801 675 72 6 182 16 39 2 13 425 22975

8. 00 AWARENESS PROGRAMMES AND CLINICS & OTHER ACTIVITIES

8.01 Programmes & Clinics funded by the State Grant of the LAC:

Programme Nos 29 8.02 Programmes & Clinics Implemented By LAC With United Nations Development

Fund (UNDP)-Equal Access to Justice Project (EA2JP) under the purview of the Ministry of National Languages and Social Integration. One of the activities sponsored and funded by the UNDP –EA2JP was the outreach to various categories of persons in varied parts of the country by way of funding awareness programmes and clinics. This is in addition to the core funding of eleven (11) centers in the North, East and in the border villages. Additionally the Training Programmes comprising the Para –Legal Study Programme and the Training of Legal Apprentices were also funded by EA2JP.

Police Awareness Programmes: Programme Nos 12 Coordinator: Ms. Piyumi Kumari Samarasinghe Attorney at Law

Legal Officer Head Office, Colombo

Awareness Programmes Programme Nos 17 Coordinator : Ms. Lilnathi Kumari: Attorney at Law Legal Officer Head Office, Colombo

Awareness Programmes Programme Nos 10 Coordinator : Ms. Harshani Balaharuwa Attorney at law, Legal Officer Head Office, Colombo

Programmes funded by the UNDP organized by respective centers coordinated by the respective Directors and Legal Officers of the Centers in consultation with the Chief Accountant, Ms. V. Senaratne.Programme Nos 15

Clinics for Remandees in Prisons: Coordinator Ms. Thushari Sakunthala, Attorney at Law, Legal Officer Head Office and in charge of the Prisons Unit supported by the Directors and Legal Officers of the respective Centers. Programme Nos 67

Outreach Programme of the LAC in remote Villages in the Batticaloa District Programme Nos 67

Coordinator - Nelum Gamage, Senior Consultant -LAC (with the media Outreach Programme for Media Personnel)

9.00 TRAINING PROGRAMMES

Legal Apprentices Training Programme: Coordinator Ms. D. Disanayake,Chief Legal Officer, LAC, Colombo

& Ms. Chulari Hettiarachchi, Legal Officer, LAC Colombo.

Training Programme: on Legal Matters for Non Lawyers Coordinator-Ms. D. Disanayake,Chief Legal Officer, LAC, Colombo

10.00 Norwegian Refugee Council Assistance to LAC 11.00 Interactions with other institutions local and overseas 12.00 Social Activities of LAC Personnel

8.01 PROGRAMMES & CLINICS IMPLEMENTED WITH LEGAL AID COMMISSION FUNDING

(STATE GRANT) 29 Programmes No Center –Date Programme Subject

Matter Location Target Group No of Participants

1 Colombo 22.11.2011 Organised by Ms. Uthpala Adhikari, L.O.,LAC

Legal matters District Secretariat Office Wattala

Public Officials 100

2 Colombo 20.11.2011 Organised by Ms. Uthpala Adhikari L.O.,LAC

To Commemorate Universal Children’s Day

Sunandopananda Vidyalaya Moratuwa

Children and Parents of the relevant school

150

3 Colombo 25.11.2011 Organised by Ms. Uthpala Adhikari, L.O.,LAC

National Law Week –-in collaboration with the Bar Association of SL

On Hultsdorf Street –where public has easy access

Legal Aid for the public

150 Approximate

4 Colombo 05.11.2011 Organised by Damayanthi Dissanayake Chief L.O. of Colombo Center

Registration of Title-BIMSAVIYA With special reference to Act No 21 of 1998 & electronic transactions Act of 2006

Sri LankaFoundation Institute

Lawyers and general public

The SLFI main hall was filled to capacity and some had to be standing. Conveneror : Ms. Keerthimala Gunasekera Senior AAL 150 Approximate

5 Dambulla 14.05.2011

Legal Awareness Namini oya Maha Vidyalaya Wilgamuwa

School children & Public

150

6

Kandy 08.03.2011

Women’s Rights International Women’s’ Day

Auditorium of the D.S. Office, Handessa

Women

55

7

Kandy 3

rd ,4

th August 2011

Convened by Women’s Group “Sthree Mela” LAC funds also utilized.

Seminar and exhibition on Women’s Rights

Kandy City Center: In the LAC section of the exhibition People’s queries were answered by the center personnel

Public

Large number of women- of 75 women’s organizations

8

Kandy 01.10.2011

Awareness Programme

National School-Theldeniya

Teachers/parents & student leaders of Theldeniya Educational Zone

200

9 Kanthalai 2011.07.09

Child Rights and Women’s Rights

DS Office, Kanthalai State Officers 70

10 Kanthalai 10.07.2011

Elders Rights DS Office, Kanthalai Elders 118

11 Amparai 08.03.2011


Mayadunna temple Women 83

12 to 16

Maho 22.09.2011 to 26.09.2011

Legal clinics Galgamuwa Peoples’ Ground

Children Elders State Officers

283 Total in all five days

No Center –Date Topics Location Target Group No of Participants

17 Moneragala 27.09.2011

Auditorium of Regional Fisheries Development

Awareness Programme

State Officials 50

18 Hambanthota 2011.11.19

Sooriyaweva D. S.Office

Awareness Programme

Grama Niladhari 54

19 Kekirawa 25 Nov 2011

LAC Center Office Laws specially affecting women Inclusive of laws relating to violence against women

Women 65

20 21 22 23

Kuliyapitiya Dates not given

Not forwarded Four Awarenss Programmes

Public in Kuliyapitiya

50 50 75 100

24 Kuliyapitiya

Kuliyapitiya Town

To commemorate International Women’s Day

Women Members of societies in the Kuliyapitiya Judicial Zone and Members of Civil Defence in Kuliyapitiya Police Division: Eight (8) Selected women were given awards for their courage. 1350

25 Kuliyapitya To commemorate International Children’s Day

Legal Awareness programme

Followed by a cultural show/sports festival and a cricket match was also held

Children in Homes run by the Department of Probation and child Care

250

26 Tangalle 2011.11.27

D.S .Office, Tangalle Legal Clinic Public 150

27

Welimada 10.09.2011

Yalagamuwa Community Hall (Praja Salawa)

Awareness Programme & Legal clinic

Public

97

28

Welimada 22.10.2011

Dimuthugama Community Hall (Praja Salawa

Legal Clinic

Public

82

29 Colombo June 2011

Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research & Training institue

International Colloquium on Post Conflict Legal Recovery

International & local delegates

68

8.02 AWARENESS PROGRAMMES - UNDP –EA2JP Funded Programmes : Continued – 12 Programmes Police Awareness Programmes Coordinator: Ms. Piyumi Kumari Samarasinghe Attorney at Law Legal Officer Head Office

One of the main activities implemented by the Legal Aid Commission under the financial support by UNDP EA2JP

was the Series of Police Training Programs for the Police Officers discharging duties in Northern and Eastern parts

of the Country.

The main objective was to educate the police personnel on new laws as well as new technologies that could be

used in the protection of victims of crime and witnesses. Each programme had about four (4) presentations,

followed by discussions and case studies. This programme was jointly organized with the Attorney General’s

Department. The Senior State Counsel in charge of North and East participated in all programmes.

No

Date

Police Division

Venu and Nature of the

Programme &

Matters of Interest

Participants

The legal

areas/topics

covered

M F Total

Fundamental

Rights under the

Constitution of

Sri Lanka Child Rights

Women’s Rights

Land

Practical aspects

of taking persons

inclusive of

suspect LTTE to

remand-custody.

The resource

persons were

much

appreciated. They

used the

Discussions, case

studies, power

point

presentations and

many other

techniques to

make the

programme

meaningful.

1

9.4.11

Kalmunai

Kachcheri Auditorium

– Sammanthura

182

17

199

2

10.4.11

Ampara

‘Nature’ Hotel –

Ampara

Police keen on lecture

by the SSC and raised

a lot of questions

regarding the 1995 and

2006 amendmenst to

the Penal Code

194

07

201

3

17.7.11

Mannar

‘’Sittivinayagar

National School’,

Mannar Conducted Lectures in

both Sinhala &

English Languages as

officers of both ethnic

groups present

160

07

167

4

18.7.11

Vavuniya

Swarakka Hotel’

Vavuniya

188

13

201

5

1.10.11

Trinco

‘Orrs Hill

Vivekananda Collage’

– Trincomalee

156

45

201

No

Date

Police

Division

Venue and Nature of the Programme & Matters of Interest

Participants

The legal

areas/topics

covered

Some of the

participants in

some

programmes

were

prosecuting

officers who

benefited from

the programmes

and requested

for a 3-day

training

programme

M F Total

6

2.10.11

Kanthale ‘Parameshwari Hall’, Kanthale

180 30 210

7

22.10.11

Kilinochchi

Police Division Pradeshiya Saba Auditorium 19 GNs also participated. The police officers and grama niladhari had a positive abd fruitful interaction..

187 18 205

8

23.10.11

Mulaithivu

Karachchi Pradeshiya Sabha Auditorium

201

07

208

9

10.11.11 Officer trainees from North and East

Police Training school Kalutara

299

09

308

10

12.11.11

Jaffna

Divisional Secretariat –Jaffna

165

40

205

11

13.11.11 Kanksanthurai AGA’s Auditorium -

Jaffna

187 18 205

12

13.11.11

Puttalam

Divisional Secretariat-Puttalam

182

36

218

8.02 Continued

AWARENESS PROGRAMMES - UNDP –EA2JP Funded Programmes : Continued - 17 Programmes Coordinator : Ms. Lilnathi Kumari: Attorney at Law Legal Officer Head Office, Colombo Organizational and implementation support by the respective LAC centers

No Date Venue & Nature of programme & matters of interest

Target group Topics covered (Lecture Series and/or clinics

Participants

M F Total

1

4.6.11

D.S .Office Badulla Lecture Series Q/A Session Uva, Provincial Council. Important questions discussed: a)Re pregnant school girls and their re-absorption to school after delivery of baby. b)domestic labour of children.

Government Officers

Good governance, Admin Law Legal Aid

40 60 100

2

5.6.11 Badulla D.S. Secretariat Office

School principals and teachers

Human rights, child rights, Land Laws

50 40 90

3

25.6.11

Muttur Attakalanpanna Praja Salawa Legal Clinics. Assisted in getting civil documents: birth/marriage/death certificates and also NIC’s.

People from elsewhere resettled in the area.

Documentation

60

60

120

No Center Venue & Nature of programme & matters of interest

Target Group Topics covered (Lecture Series and/or clinics

Participants M F Total

4

26.6.11 School in Muttur Legal Clinics with an overall introduction to LAC. Problems re to State land, missing husbands, civil documentation..

People from elsewhere Resettled in the area and a few of the public of the area

Documentation A few land and divorce maters

50 30 80

5

30.7.11 D.S. Office Ginigathhena Legal Clinics with an overall introduction Hatton District.

General public

ETF, EPF matters, child rights, divorce, maintenanceand migrant matters.

30 60 90

6 31.7.11

Victon Watta (estate) Hatton District This programme was a remarkable experience for the LAC officers. Access was extremely difficult and the venue was a small hall located amidst the tea estate approached by narrow road ways which was hardly motorable.

Estate sector

Crown land matters, child abuse cases & civil documentation

55 50 85

No Date Venue & Nature of programme & matters of interest

Target group Topics covered (Lecture Series and/or clinics

Participants

M F Total

7.

10.9.11 D.S. Office Thirukkovil. Pottuvil. Predominantly Tamil area. Lack of male participation. Keen women participants. A participant declared that a case is pending against him in a “grease devil” case although he was only an onlooker at the site. He was instructed to visit the LAC Center at Pottuvil.

General Public

Legal aid, Migrant Labour, Human Rights, Migrant Rights, Women and children

10

60

70

8

29.10. 2011

Shalika Hall Dehiattakandiya Legal Clinics : Introduction on laws applicable to day to day living. Followed by clinic.

General Public

Legal aid, Migrant Labour, Human Rights, Migrant Rights, Women and children

50

20

70

No

Date

Venue & Nature of programme

Target group

Topics covered (Lecture Series and/or clinics

Participants

M F Total

9

30.10. 2011

Giradurukotte Mahaweli Praja Development center Legal Clinics

General Public

Legal aid, Migrant Labour, Human Rights, Migrant Rights, Women and children/Bail

40

16

56

10

9.11.11

Praja Shalawa Pooneryn Road Pallaiyaru Village Manthai DS Division Mannar District Legal Clinics

People directly affected by the civil conflict

Human Rights Documentation Legal Aid (availability of Mannar LAC Office)

65

45

110

11

10.11. 2011

Siththi Vinayagar Hindu College Mannar Legal Clinics

General Public inclusive of some war affected people

State land Human Rights Family Matters

50

45

95

12 16.07. 2011

Kinniya library, Kinniya

Internally Displaced Persons


75 6 81

13 31.07. 2011

Trincomalee Town PPHR Main Hall

Internally Displaced Persons


38 20 58

14 09.07. 2011

Lions Club Valachchenai

Grama Niladharis Field Officers Oddamavadi D.S.division

Laws relating to: Marriage & Divorce under the Muslim Law. Human Rights- Fundamental Rights Domestic Violence Child Abuse

52 48 100

15

23.7. 2011

Lions Club Valachchenai

Principals, Deputy Principals Teachers Kalkudah Educational Zone

Administrative Law Human Rights Fundamental Rights Domestic Violence Child Abuse Courts system /Basic laws

76 22 98

No Date Location Target Group Topics covered (Lecture Series and/or clinics

Participants M F Total

16

08.03. 2011

Ramakrishna Vidyyalaya Alayadiveemdu Akkaraipattu Awareness Programme To commemorate International Women’s Day

65 students and 5 teachers: All female

Laws specially affecting women: Prevention of Domestic Violence; Women’s rights with reference to international and local Laws; Challenges faced by women in the modern day; Marriage & Divorce

0 70 70

17 28.09. 2011

Cultural Hall Akkaraipattu

Grama Niladharis Samurdhi Officers Of D.S. area Akkaraipattu

Human Rights/fundamental rights Civil Rights

110

17 Programmes Time span 4.6. 2011 to 10.11. 2011

Areas where there is a high percentage of deserving people who have to be briefed of their rights and their accessibly to legal aid

Govt. Officers School principals and teachers Resettled persons Estate sector People affected by civil conflict

Legal matters and civil documentation

8.02 Continued

AWARENESS PROGRAMMES - UNDP –EA2JP Funded Programmes : Continued 10 Programmes

Coordinator : Ms. Harshani Balaharuwa Attorney at law, Legal Officer Head Office, Organizational and implementation support by the respective LAC centers No Date Venue & Nature of programme &

matters of interest Target group Topics covered

(Lecture Series and/or clinics

Participants

M F Total

1. 18.06.2011 D .S. Office, Maradankerny, Jaffna Very remote area Lecture Series Q/A Session The people have no birth certificates, Civil Documentation.

IDP’s & resettled people

Land Law Documentation Human Rights Family Law

30 60 90

2. 19.06.2011 Church, Illawalay, Jaffna(Half of the church was destroyed during the War time) Collecting participants on time very difficult. Because they were not re settled yet & no transport facilities.

IDP’s & resettled people

Child Rights Land Law Documentation Human Rights Family Law

25 50 75

3. 25.6.11 Hardy College, Ampara Question & Answers session and Consultations

School Principals Child rights, FR, Family & Land Law

60 60 120

4. 26.6.11 Hardy College, Ampara Lecture Serious question & answers session and Consultations

Grama Niladharies

Land mattres FR matters Family law

60 45 105

5. 09.7.11 D. S. Office Kanthalai Lecture Serious question & answers session and Consultations

Grama Niladharies and Other Government

child rights, FR, Family & Land Law

40 60 100

6. 10.7.11 D.S. Office Kanthalai Legal Clinics with an overall introduction on the LAC Short lecture regarding law relating to day to day life

Public land matters, child abuse cases & civil documentation and Family Law, Elders Law

30 80 110

7. 17.9.11

D.S. Office Oyamaduwa Programme organized simultaneously for Dayata Kirula

Government Officers and Public

Legal aid, Migrant Labour, Human Rights, Child Rights,

60 30 90

8. 24.09.11 Zonal Educational Directors Auditorium Kebithigollawa. Anuradhapura District

School Principals

Human Rights, Child Rights & Child Abuse, Legal Aid, State Lands

59 46 105

9 19.11.11 DS Office, Thalawa Programme organized simultaneously for Dayata Kirula

Government Officers & Public

Legal aid, Migrant Labour, Human Rights, Migrant Rights, State Land

50 45 95

10

Time span 18.6.2011 To 19.11.11

No of Programmes 10 Child Rights, Fundamental Rights, Family Law & Land Law

Government Officers School principals and teachers Resettled persons People affected by civil conflict.

Legal matters and civil documentation

484

496

980

8.02 continued

AWARENESS PROGRAMMES - UNDP –EA2JP Funded Programmes : Continued

15 Programmes

Coordinated by the respective Directors and Legal Officers of the Centers in consultation with the Chief Accountant, Ms. Viranthi Searatne.

No Center Date

Location Types of Programme

Target Group Number of Participants

01 Wellawaya 07.11.2011

Gonagamara Vidyalya Buttala

Awareness and clinic

Public 130

02 Wellawaya 13.11.2011

Weerasekaragama Community School


Public

140

03 Wellawaya 20.11.2011

Kithulkote Maha Vidyalaya Thanamalwila


Public 140

04 Wellawaya 27.11.2011

Buttala D.S. Office Awareness and clini

Public 191

05 Hatton 23..10.2011

Counseling Clinic for intended migrant women Workers

Bogawana estate Estate workers

123

06 Hatton 30.10.2011

Laws pertaining to day to day living & Legal clinic

Seethagagula village, Nallathanniya

People in difficult .access areas

122

07

Hatton 06.11.2011

Counseling for intended migrant women workers

Karalina Estate, Watawala

Estate workers

124

08 Hatton 10.11.2011


Kenilwerth estate Ginihathhena

Estate workers

123

09 Hatton 13.11.2011


Venchara Estate Norwoode

Estate workers

146

10 Hatton 19.11.2011


Ulifield Estate Hatton

Estate workers

122

11 Hatton 20.11.2011


Castlereagh Estate Dickoya

Estate workers

117

12 Amparai 19.11.2011

Awareness Programme and clinic.

DS Office, Uhana Members of Public with problems

97

13 Embilipitiya 19.11.2011

Legal clinic D.S. Secretariat Embilipitiya

Public 100

14 Kanthalai 2011.11.26


D.S Office, Kanthalai

Public 67

15 Hingur4akgoda 20.11.2011.

Clinic With participation of Police and lawyers: 28 Resource persons

National School Seventy Acres Minneriya

Public 122

8.02 AWARENESS PROGRAMMES - UNDP –EA2JP Funded Programmes : Continued

Clinics for Remandees in Prisons: 67 Programmes Coordinator Ms. Thushari Sakunthala, Legal Officer of the LAC, Head Office and Legal officer in charge of the Prisons Unit Supported by the Directors and Legal Officers of the respective Centers. A total of 65 Clinics s were held island-wide. In addition a programme for the prison officers was also held in Colombo.The schedule below sets out the dates and the Prisons in which the clinics were conducted by the center lawyers.

No Date Prison Implementing Center

1 22.04.2011 Colombo Remand Prison CRP Colombo

2. 26.03.2011 Magazine Colombo

3 19.02.2011 Welikada Colombo


5 05.03.2011 Programme for Prison Officers Colombo

6 15.05.2011 Batticaloa Battiocaloa

7 08.05.2011 Batticaloa Batticaloa



10 11. 06. 2011 Magazine Colombo

11 29.05,2011 Jaffna Jaffna

12 26.03.2011 Anuradhapura Anuradhapura

13 26.03.2011 Polonnaruwa Polonnaruwa





18 09.07.2011 Magazine Colombo






24 12.03.2011 Jaffna Jaffna





29 20.08.2011 Wariyapola Kuliyapitiya





34 08.102011 Magazine Colombo






41 09.10.2011 Kuruwita Ratnapura




45 15.10.2011 Galle Galle


47 03.09.2011 Matara Matara

48 17.09.2011 Tangalle Matara



51 18.09.211 Galle Matara

52 10.09.2011 Moneragala Moneragala




56 22.10.2011 Kegalle Kegalle








64 12.11.2011 Galle Galle 65 15.10.2011 Wariyapola Kuliyapitiya



8.02 Continued

AWARENESS PROGRAMMES - UNDP –EA2JP Funded Programmes

No of Outreach Programmes : 67 Out-reach Programme of the Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka (LAC) in remote Villages in the Batticaloa District (As a follow –up to the Media Outreach Programme held in Colombo) Nelum Gamage, Senior Consultant-LAC

The LAC implemented the Media Outreach Programme in the Batticaloa district during a brief period of three and a half (3½ ) months: August - November 2011. This project was funded by the Equal Access to Justice Project (EA2JP) of the UNDP under the auspices of the Ministry of National Languages and Social Integration. Batticaloa district was the choice for the implementation of this project as it is an area affected by the civil conflict, tsunami and floods. The aim of the project was to create awareness of the public to seek redress in instances where their rights have been affected, violated or abused. Tamils and Muslims have lived in harmony in the Batticaloa district for a long time until the conflict which had an adverse effect on its inhabitants. Some villages are predominantly Tamil while others are predominantly Muslim. Batticaloa has 14 Divisional Secretariat Divisions and a total of 348 Grama Niladharis.

No D.S. Division No of G.N Divisions

1 Eravur Pattu- Chenkalady 39

2 Eravur Town –Eravur 17

3 Kattankudy 18

4 Koralai Pattu – Valaichenai 12

5 Koralai Pattu Central – Thiyavadduvan 9

6 Korali Pattu North – Vaharai 16

7 Koralai Pattu South -Kiran 18

8 Koaralai Pattu West-Oddamavadi 8

9 Manmunai North 48

10 Manmunai Pattu – Arayampathy 27

11 Manmunai South & Eruvil Patt u Kaluwanchikuddy 45

12 Manmunai South West-Vellavelly 24

13 Manmunai West –Vavunathivu 24

14 Porathivu Pattu –Paddipalai 43

Total GN Divisions 348

The project activity commenced with a Media Conference held in Colombo on the 4th of August 2011. About 27 media personnel both from the print and the electronic media participated in the programme. They were introduced into the concept of the LAC reaching to the vulnerable people in the remote villages: This was a follow-up programme to the one launched in the Northern Province. A team of resource persons headed by Mr. S.S. Wijeratne addressed the gathering and solicited the support of the media to give visibility to the LAC activities to be launched in the Batticaloa district. During the short period of less than 3 months ten (10) Mobile Clinics/Awareness programmes were carried out in 10 DS Divisions in village areas. The clinics were for small groups of about 60 to 70 people so that interaction with the participants would be easy. The LAC had the full cooperation of the divisional secretaries and the grama niladharis in conducting these clinics. In total about 680 participants attended the programmes. Easy –to – read legal literature in Tamil published by the LAC and the UNDP were distributed to the participants. They were advised to share these books and the knowledge gained with

their home folk. The grama niladharis were also instructed on how to refer matters of their respective villagers to the LAC offices in Batticaloa and Valachchenai when necessary.

The enthusiasm of the people was such even in spite of very foul weather the people attended the two Clinics at Bt/ Al Hithaya MV Oddamavadi in the Oddamavadi DS Division and at Karuvakent Vigneswera Vidyalayam in the Valaichenai DS Division respectively. In these clinics the women participation was higher than the men. It is not possible to evaluate the reason for this: whether the population ratio of women to men is more as there is no recent census of the District. But it is very encouraging to see that women whether in the Tamil or Muslim villages has a civic sense to come forward to participate in the clinics and awareness programmes and get involved in the learning process of how to access justice when the necessity arises. The legal queries raised by participants were centered mostly on family matters and land problems. The officials from the D.S. Secretariats explained the procedures involved in obtaining civil documents. The programmes also gave an opportunity for the people to get to know the D.s. Officials and the Grama Niladharis of the areas.

The booklet “Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka” in Tamil was distributed amongst the villagers. work commenced in the latter part of 2011 in the year 2012 and keep up the momentum of educating the public as well as reaching to them to assist them to resolve their legal problems.

Left : Mr. E. Kandasamy. Legal coordinator of the LAC center at Batticaloa addressing the participants on 13.11.2011 at the mobile clinic held at Vavunathivu D.S. Division Bt/ Puthumandapathadi G.T.M.S

Left : Ms. F Madeeha, legal Officer of the LAC discussing legal issues affecting the women folk at the mobile held on 29.10.2011 at Bt/ Karuvakeny Vigneswara Vithiyalayam, Valaichenai Left: A cross section of the public who participated at the above mobile clinic on 30.11. 2011 held at Bt/ Al Hithaya M.V, Oddamavadi.

No Center –Date Venue Main Programme Organizer

Topic Target Group & no of partipants

1 Ampara 22.07.2011

Oxfarm Training Center

Weeramanthri Foundation

Court System/Legal Matters Youth

2 Amparai 23.08.2011

Women’s Development Center

Women’s Development Center

Laws relating specially to women and basic principles of important laws

Selected women

3 Amparai 23.11.2011

Youth Services Center

Bar Association of Amparai

Laws relating Maintenance and Divorce

Teachers and students –Youth Service

Amparai Center participated in three programmes organized by the LAC Head Office

4 Hatton 08.03.2011

Municipal Council

On the invitation of the Mayor of Hatton to commemorate International Women’s Day

Lecture on women’s Rights Six hundred (600) women Participants marched round the city after the lecture

.

5 Hatton 09.03.2011

Norwood Estate

On an invitation of the Superintendant of the estate to commemorate International Women’s Day

Laws on maintenance and prevention of domestic violence

Two hundred (200) estate workers

6 Hatton 14.03.2011

Thondaman Community Hall Kotagala

On an invitation of the Director of the Human Rights Center to commemorate International Women’s Day

Laws relevant specially to women

Six hundred (600) women participants marched round the Kotagala town after the lecture

7 Hatton 15.11.2011

Divisional Secretariat –Ginigathhena

On an invitation of the D.S. of the Divisional Secretary of Ginigathhena.

Pertaining to Shelter About 250 public officials inclusive of Grama Niladhari

8 Hatton 8.12.2011

Divisional Secretariat –Ginigathhena

On an invitation of the D.S. of the Divisional Secretary of Ginigathhena.

Laws of special significance to women

About 150 women

The Hatton Center participated in two programmes organized by the LAC Head office held on 30th

and 31st

2011 respectively.

9 Dambulla 03.02..2011

Janahitha Samithi Salawa (Hall)

On the invitation of the Galwatiyawa Grama Niladhari (GN) for an event organized by the GN.

The functions of the LAC and also laws of special interest to women

150

10 Dambuilla 24.02.2011

At the D.S. Office Dambulla

On the invitation of the Elders Society Dambulla (ES-Dambulla) for an event organized by the ES-Dambulla.

The functions of the LAC and also laws of special interest to elders

200

11 Dambuilla 02.04.2011

Praja Salawa (Community Hall) Kimbissa

On the invitation of the Elders Society Kibissa (ES-Kimbissa) for an event organized by the ES-Kimbissa

The functions of the LAC and also laws of special interest to elders

175

12

Dambuilla 26.06.2011

Isuru School Haththota Amuna

On the invitation of the Laggala D.S. Office and the Police

The functions of the LAC and also laws of special interest to children

250



13 Dambuilla 16.07.2011

D.S. Office Galewela

On the invitation of the Galewela Police

The functions of the LAC and also laws relating to violence Against Women

175


Moneragala, Deliva Maha Vidyalaya

On the invitation of the Human Rights Center, Pahala Uva.

Awareness (Legal)Programme

50


D.S.Office Buttala

On the invitation of the Ranaviru Authority

Mobile Clinic 30


Prison Premises Bar Association of SL Legal Clinic Prison Inmates 120

18 Batticaloa 19.02.2011

Prison Premises Rotary Club Legal Clinic Prison Inmates 50

19 Kandy 28.02.2011

Prison Premises Prisons –Kandy For “Prisons Day”

Awareness Programme and clinic

Prison Inmates 70

20 Kandy 01.06.2011

Divisional Secretariat –Theldeniya

D.S. Theldeniya Awareness Programme 30

21 Kantrhalai 30.07.2011

Wan-Ela Maha Vidyalaya

Wan-Ela Police Station

Awareness Programme and clinic

Public Number Not accounted

22 Kanthale 06.10.2011

D.S. Secretariat Kanthalai

D.S. Secretariat Participated in Elders Day Programme

Elders Number Not accounted

23 Kanthalai 23.10.2011

T/Thanganagar School

Invitation for lecture Awareness Programme Students

24 Kuliyapitiya Dates not specified.

Inviting authorities not quoted

Locations not specified

Lecture on the Legal Aid system and on the

150 for each lecture

25 Tangalle March 2011

Prajamula Organization

Prajamula Organization Office

Awareness programme and Clinic

25 Women

26 Tangalle May 2011

Gamidiriya Foundation

Gamidiriya Foundation Office


75 women

27 Tangalle May 2011

Gamidiriya Foundation

Gamidiriya Foundation Office


75 women

28 29 30 31 32 33 34 Kekirawa 03.10.2011 03.10.2011 06.10.2011 10.10.2011 20.10.2011 08.11.2011 30.11.2011

Ministry of Justice Ministry of Justice Ministry of Justice Ministry of Justice Youth Corps, Kekirawa Probation Office Kekirawa D.S. Palugasweva

D .S. Office Palagala D.S. Offfice Palugasweva D.S. Office Ipalogama D.S. Office Ipalogama Youth Corps Center Kekirawa Kekirawa Central College D.S. Office, Palugaswev

Awareness Programme ”at each awareness programme organized by MOJ Introduction of the legal system of Sri Lanka & Laws of Sri Lanka Laws relating to child abuse and drugs Laws relating to violence against women: To commemorate International Women’s Day.

School children

Government &

social officers of

the area for each

of the four

programmes

organized by MOJ.

Final year

students of the

youth corps

School children State Officers and members of social organization



35 Wellawaya 10.01.2011

Thanamanwila, Divisional Secretariat

Thanamanwila Maha Vidyalaya

Awareness Programme for public

100

36 Wellawaya 03.06.2011

Wellawaya Divisional Secretariat

Bodagama Maha Vidyalaya

Awareness Programme for public

100

37 Walasmulla 13.01.2011

Undp fund Walasmulla ds office Elders 75

38 Walamulla 11.02.2011

Ds Office, Weeraketiya


Grama Niladharis- Weeraketiya D.S. Division

53

39 Walamulla 16.03.2011

Ds Office, Walasmulla


Womens 108

40 Walamulla 08.04.2011

Prison, Tangalle Prison, Tangalee Prison inmates 29

41 Walamulla 27.04.2011



Samurdhi Officeres of Walasmulla D.S. Office

47

42 Walamulla 07.05.2011

Police station, Katuwana

Police Station, Katuwana

Police-Katuwana 21

43 Walamulla 13.05.2011


Ds. Office, Weeraketiya

Grama Niladaries Ds Office, Weeraketiya

46

44 Walamulla 07.06.2011

Police Station, Walasmulla

Police Station, Walasmulla

Police Niladhari 17

45 Walamulla 27.06.2011

Ds Office, Katuwana

Ds Office, Katuwana Grama Niladharies 51

46 Walamulla 23.07.2011

Police , Katuwana

Ritigahayaya maha Vidyalaya

Public 245

47 Walamulla 25.08.2011



Government Officers 74

48 Walamulla 22.09.2011

Ds Office, Okewela

Ds. Office, Okewela Public 59

49 Walamulla 27.10.201


DS Office, Weeraketiya

Grama Niladharies 38

50 Walamulla 14.11.2011

DS Office, Walasmulla


Clinic for public 23

51 Walamulla 14.12.2011



Clinic for public 47

52 Welimada 15.10.2011

Prison Premises, Badulla

LAC, Badulla Legal Aid Clinic for Remandees 73

53 Welimada 19.11.2011

Sensite Town Halla

Lac, Nuwara eliya Legal Aid Clinic fro Public 95

54

Thissamaharama 23.05.2011

Gami Diriya padanama

Marakolliya Tangalle

Awareness programme for Public

35

55 Thissamahara 23.05.2011

Andupalena Grameeya Sanwardana samithiya

Ranna, Andupalena Grameeya samithi Shalawa

Awareness programme for Public

35

56 29.06.201 Tangalle

Gamidiriya Padanama

Witharandeniya- Tangalle

Awareness Programme for Public

30

57 09.08.2011 Tangalle

Seenukkuwa Govi Sanwidanaya

Seenukkuwa- Berealihela

Awareness Programme for Public

30

58 04.02.2011 Anuradapura

Department of Probation and Child care

Probation Office Awareness programme on Child Rights for Probation Officers

25



59 22.03.2011 Anuradhapura

Department of Probation and Child care

Probation Office Awareness programme on Child Rights for Probation Officers

250


Samadeepa Center (NGO)

Office of Samadeepa Awareness Programme on Women’s Rights: members of women’s organizations

150


Gami Shakthi-Women’s Organizatio

Community Center, Makulewa

Awareness Programme on Women’s Rights for officials of NGOs

50

62 24.05.2011 Anuradhapu

Samadeepa Center(NGO)

Office of Samadeepa Awareness Programme for Non Government Officers

120


Ministry of Women’s Affairs

DS Office Discussion on problems faced by women for Women Officers

50


Department of Probation and Child care office

Probation Office Discussion with new Commissioner for Probation & Child care :for probation officers

25


Samadeepa Center Center(NGO)

Office of Samadeepa Awareness Programme for Non Government Officers

120


Samadeepa Center (NGO)

Office of Samadeepa Discussion on ‘protection under the law’ for members of Volunteer women’s organizations

50

67 07.12.2011 D. S Office,Thirappane

DS Office, Thirappane

Awareness Programme for Government Officres

150

9.00 TRAINING PROGRAMMES

Legal Apprentices Training Programme & Para Legal Training Programme

Legal Apprentices Training Programme

Coordinators:

Ms. Damayanthi Disanayake,Chief and Ms. Chulari Hettiarachchi, Legal Officers, LAC Colombo.

Each year two batches of law students sit the Final Examination for Attorneys at Law at the Sri Lanka Law

College. These student-legal apprentices have to undergo a practical training programme prior to their

taking oaths as attorneys. This practical training programme comprise of several components and the

students have a choice of selecting the components of their choice. Their performance is graded. One of

the components in the Practical Training programme launched by the Sri Lanka Law College is the

‘Apprentices Training Programme‘ implemented by the LAC.

Two Segments comprised the legal apprentices training programme. The venue was the Sri Lanka Law

College. Each Segment has a number of sessions.

1) Session

ii) Participants Number

Coordinator No of

Workshops

Topics covered Resource Persons

Session One

January Batch 125

Ms. Damayanthi

Dissanayake Chief Legal

Officer-LAC-Colombo.

10 1) Equal Access to Justice

2) victims of Crime

3) Land & Partition

4) Criminal Law

5)Arbitration

6)Bail

7) Manitenance

8)Labour Laws

9) Electronic Evidence

10) Divorce

11) Money matters

12) Drafting pleadings and leading

evidence.

1)Retried and present Hon.

Justices of the Supreme

Court

2) Chairman of LAC

3)Senior Attorneys

4) Counsel from A.G’s

Department.

Session Two

June Batch 380

Awards Ceremony at

the BASL auditorium

On 28.11.2011

Ms. Chulari

Hettiarachchi

Senior Legal Officer

09 1)Personality Development

2)Criminal Procedure

3)Professional Ethics

4) Rights of victims

5) Rights of Accused 6) Legal Aid law

7)Intellectual Property Law 8)Bail

9) Maintenance

10) Supreme Court Rules

Same as above

Training Programme: Para-Legal studies (Legal Matters for Non Lawyers) Coordinator Ms. Damayanthi Disanayake,Chief Legal Officer, LAC, Colombo

This programme was conducted in two sessions for two sets of participants. The objective was to give the participants an understanding of the basic principles of laws relevant to day to day living and even also some specialized subjects.

Date &

coordinator

Target group &

No of Participants

Subjects covered Remarks

Course I

Fifty Nine (59)

passed the

examination at the

end of the 14 days’

programme held

during week-ends

Management Assistants

of the LAC

Sixty one (61) registered

for the Course

Role of the LAC

Legal System of Sri Lank

Child Protection Law & Procedure

Prescriptive period of time

Rights of the disabled

Laws on Consumer Protection

Labour Rights

Alternative Dispute Resolution

( Mediation) I

Alternative Dispute Resolution II

Arbitration

Matrimonial Law

Tribunals and Boards

Court Structure in SL

FR and ICCPR Act

Violence Against Women

Office Management and

Correspondence

Administration Law

Courts jurisdiction and Procedure in

Court Action

Criminal Law

Official Documentation

Adoption Laws

Partition Law

Law of Delict

Environmental Laws

Contract Law

Preparation of documents like

affidavits etc.

Land Law

Human Rights

Language Rights

Lawyers of the

LAC. Senior and

eminent Lawyers

of the unofficial

Bar

Retired Justices of

the Supreme Court

Principal Law

College

Course II

Fifty three (53)

passed the

examination at the

end of the 14 days’

programme held

during week-ends.

Management Assistants –

LAC and National

integration Promotion

Officers of the Ministry of

National Languages and

Social integration

Fifty five registered (55)

for the Course.

10.0 Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC): Assistance to the LAC

Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC): Assistance to the LAC activities

The NRC which commenced to fund the LAC in the North in 2010 continued to fund the Northern Centers for core activities and clinics and awareness programmes. The highlight of the NRC funded activities was the “Three – Day Colloquium on Legal Empowerment for the Northern Province Local Government Representatives and Officials that was held on10th, 11th, and 12TH October respectively at the SLFI auditorium. Programmew Coordinator: Ms. Swastika Arulingam, Attorney at Law whose report is set out below:

Colloquium on Legal Empowerment of the Northern Province Elected Representatives and Officials

The importance of legal recovery amongst others in a post war period cannot be over emphasized. War breaks down normal civil law functioning in a society. In fact our country was under emergency law for almost three decades until it was recently lifted.

Last year Northern Province local elections were held after almost two decades. This meant that the Northern Province was to be brought in to a democratic framework for the first time in twenty years. Hence, an extensive amount of training for the representatives in both administrative and legal field was needed for the elected representatives to exercise their powers and play their roles in the recovery of this war affected society effectively.

The Colloquium was held by the Legal Aid Commission (LAC) with the hope of initiating the process of filling this need of the Society and its leaders. The donors for this project were the Access to Justice Project of the UNDP and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) who have had a long standing relationship with the LAC and have funded numerous legal projects in the past. S. Suntharalingam AAL, Consultant for the LAC headed the Steering Committee which was responsible for putting this event together.

Representatives of the Municipal Councils, Urban Councils, Pradeshiya Sabhas, District Secretariats and Divisional Secretariats of the North were invited to participate totaling to an approximate of 80 participants.

As the purpose and aim of this programme was to equip the Representatives of the North with the knowledge of laws which would be useful to them in their day-to-day work, areas of law including Laws relating to local Government bodies, Thesawalamai, Humanitarian laws, laws on language rights and the Rights of Elders’ and Children were covered during a period of three days. These lectures were conducted by eminent persons who were well experienced in their relevant subjects, retired and senior judges of the Superior Courts and Senior University Lecturers.

The opening ceremony was graced by the Chief Guest, the Germany Ambassador Jens Ploetner, NRC Country Director Eigil Kvernmo, Project Analyst of the Equal Access to Justice Project of the UNDP Ross Clarke, Chairman of the Legal Aid Commission S.S Wijeratne, Director General of the LAC Justice Hector Yapa and Consultant to the Northern Province Legal Aid Project retired Justice Nissanka Udalagama.

The media was invited to attend and cover this programme on all three days.

During the programme many questions relating to issues and problems faced by the participants in performing their duties as elected representatives were raised and discussed.

These included problems relating to land disputes, land acquisition by the State, the new land circular issued by the government, garbage disposal, fundamental rights of detainees and unlawful and arbitrary arrest and torture.

At the conclusion of the Colloquium, a resolution was passed to draft special Legislation for the Northern Province, one similar to the Tsunami (Special Provisions) Act No 16 of 2005 by the LAC in coordination with the relevant ministries and to pass it as a law.

11.0 Interactions with other institutions local and overseas 11.01 Commonwealth in England Barristers Association 11.02 Sri Lankan Lawyers in United Kingdom-ASLLUK 11.03 Peace Women- “ STOP-VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN"

11.01 Commonwealth in England Barristers Association A trainee barrister Mr. James Potts, from England undertook an internship during the period July –August 2011 with the Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka on winning an essay competition sponsored by the Commonwealth in England Barristers Association. The internship was organised with the help of Mr Fritz Kodagoda. His internship was at the LAC Centers Kurunegala, Kandy and at the Head Office Colombo. Mr Potts spent a week in Kurunegala LAC with centre Director Mr Dharmavijaya Seneviratne, learning about Sri Lankan law and meeting judges and lawyers at the Kurunegala Bar. His power-point presentations on the rights of the child for new legal awareness programme to be launched in rural schools was well received. He also gave a presentation to the Kurunegala Bar Association seminar on ‘Legal Aid in the UK’. In Kandy LAC, Mr Potts spent ten days with Director Mr U.R.N. Ranatunge and the staff of the centre, meeting judges and senior lawyers to discuss legal aid. He gave a talk on Legal Aid and Legal Education in the UK to a seminar of the Kandy Bar Association. He also took part in the two-day conference and exhibition centre on women’s rights, ‘SthreeMela: the Voice of Sri Lankan Women’, at which Kandy LAC had an exhibition highlighting free legal aid for women suffering problems such as domestic violence. Mr Potts finished his internship with a two-week stint in Colombo with Mr. Upali Gooneratne P.C. He attended the LAC’s press conference raising awareness of the new centres in the Northern and Eastern provinces and the island-wide criminal defense service. Mr Potts had the opportunity to meet dignitaries including the Chief Justice Dr ShiraniBandaranayake, Speaker Hon. Chamal Rajapaksa, Secretary-General of Parliament Mr. Dhammika Kitulgoda, Justice Minister Hon. Rauff Hakeem, and Minister for External Affairs Hon (Prof.) G.L. Pieris. Mr Potts said of his internship:

“I had a very interesting and rewarding time working with the Legal Aid Commission, and want to thank everyone for their kindness and hospitality. The Legal Aid Commission does extremely important work, delivering access to justice to the most vulnerable people in Sri Lankan society. I was impressed by Sri Lankan lawyers’ strong commitment to the rule of law and the time they devote tirelessly to support legal aid. I hope the government continues to increase financial support for the Legal Aid Commission, including for the very important and timely new island-wide criminal defence service. I also hope this internship will help build links between lawyers in the UK and Sri Lanka. There is a great deal we can learn from each other. I met many lawyers and judges in Sri Lanka who are keen to strengthen ties between our Bars. The

modern world is increasingly small, and anything that helps us work together to strengthen the rule of law is a positive step”. Mr Potts was called to the Bar by Gray’s Inn, having graduated with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Oxford and Cambridge Universities. He kept a diary of his internship which may be accessed at: www.CEBAinSriLanka.blogspot.com

11.02 Association of Sri Lankan Lawyers - the United Kingdom-ASLLUK The ASLLUK donated the following items of technical equipment for the LAC centers.

No LAC Center Name Details Equipment

1 Moneragala Fax

2 Matale Fax & Photocopier

3 Polonaruwa Fax & Photocopier

4 Kalmunai Fax

5 Kurunegala Fax

6 Galle Fax & Photocopier

The LAC records its deep appreciation for these donations, specially to Mr. Fritz Kodagoda and the other members for their generous contribution which made these donations possible and to Ms. Anoosha Boralessa for her visit to Sri Lanka and personally making the purchases and attending to all the other details. Ms. Anoosha Boralessa, lawyer and Committee Member for 2011 of the ASLLUK in her personal capacity donated a Lap-top to the Kurunegala LAC center which was temporarily borrowed by the Head Office and the Annual Report for the year 2011 was prepared on the lap top. The compiler of the report appreciates the release of the lap-top for about three months to the Head Office from Kurunegala LAC Center.

http://www.cebainsrilanka.blogspot.com/

11.03 Peace Women - “STOP-VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN" The Legal staff of the LAC island-wide has over the past few years appeared in courts representing women in domestic violence cases as well as in other cases where women have been at the receiving end of abuse. Each year in the month of November a campaign is carried out highlighting the harassment of women in the home, in the work place and even in public transport. This is to coincide with the international Day for Eradiation of violence Against Women- November 25. During this campaign ‘white ribbons’ are pinned on personalities who could make a change in this context. Such persons range from important personalities to bus travelers, train commuters and others in society. Additionally the Peace Women - the staff at LAC who are so named for this campaign of pinning white ribbons extended the campaign to the staff of foreign embassies, the European Union representatives and explained to them the work of the LAC. This interaction with foreign personnel affords and opportunity to emphasize all areas of work the LAC carries out and not limited to the white-ribbon campaign.

12.00 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES OF LAC PERSONNEL

12.00 Social Activities of LAC Personnel The LAC staff in certain centers has become integral part of the social fabric of the relevant areas and contributes in many ways to development activities of such areas. Of the island-wide LAC centers, the Hatton Center and Colombo Head Office are selected to give an overview of such social activities.

Hatton 01) Three quarries (rock) had been prohibited from being mined by the Divisional Secretary of Ginigathhena on the recommendation and approval of the Environmental Authority. On the 24th of February 2011, Hatton LAC lawyer Ms. T. P.G. Punchihewa had appeared on behalf of the 100 labourers who worked the quarries and submiited their case at a meeting at the Hatton Municipality with the D.S. of Ginigathhena, two officers of the Environmental Authority, two officials from the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB)and the Grama Niladhari of the area. On the representations made by Ms. Punchihewa on behalf of the deserving and helpless labourers who worked the quarries, permits were granted to the 100 labourers to work the quarries on the approvals of the officials present. This action of the Legal Officer is commended as she went out of her legal work to come to the assistance of the helpless labourers. 2) On the 17th of May 2011, the Hatton Legal Officer on the invitation of the President and the Secretary of the Y.M.B.A., participated and gave her fullest cooperation and assistance to an almsgiving and a Bana Sermon held at the Nigrodharama Vihara Hatton . The alms giving was for 1000 devotees who had observed ‘sil’. The almsgiving was to commemorate the year 2600 Sambuddha Jayanthiya. 03) On the 18th of May 2011 the Hatton Legal Officer on the invitation of the President and the Secretary of the Y.M.B.A., participated and gave her fullest cooperation for the gifting of food parcels were to deserving persons at the Y.M.B.A. Hall. This was to commemorate the year 2600 Sambuddha Jayanthiya. Further 10 cattle had been released on this occasion. 4) On the 23rd of May 2011 the Hatton Legal Officer on the invitation of the D.S. participated at a Dhamma discussion. This was to commemorate the year 2600 Sambuddha Jayanthiya. 5) On the 23rd of June 2011 the Hatton Legal Officer participated at a Prize Giving for awarding scholarships to deserving students.

Colombo Legal Officer Ms. Piyumi Samarasinghe of LAC visited the girls Home run by the Child {Protection Society in Rukmale on a regular basis for the last three years to educate them on computer literacy. She is continuing this volunteer – teaching in 2011 and would do so in the coming year as well. Ms. Piyumi Kumari Samarasinghe with the cooperation of some army personnel made a Wesak lantern of quite a big size in commemoration of the Year 2600 Sambuddha Jayanthiya. The children very enthusiastically participated in this venture as it was the very first time such a lantern of such proportions was made. Colombo Ms. Uthpala Adhikari, Legal Officer of Lac, Head Office assisted a father to get his toddler son into a Day Care as the mother had abandoned the child and deserted the husband. It is noteworthy to mention that Legal Officers on and off assist the deserving persons who come seeking legal assistance to the LAC in numerous ways which are too many to be recorded individually. Space constraints make it difficult to record all instances of social activities of LAC legal officers Island-wide. In conclusion it could be said that the LAC lawyers play an additional role as social activists.

Finance Report

Balance Sheet as at 31st Dec 2011 31st Dec 2010

Rs Rs

ASSETS

Non Current assets

Fixed Assets 16,338,580.48

15,569,089.76

Current Assets

Prepayments and Debtors 149,220.79

3,209,553.22

Festival Advances

Petty Cash Imprest given to centers

Balances Receivable -Programme

Grants Receivable

CIDA 2,654.38

2,654.38

Asia Foundation 8,166.00

8,166.00

Cash and Cash equivalents 12,563,164.12

11,591,895.71

Total Assets 29,061,785.77 30,381,359.07

REPRESENTED BY

Accumulated Fund 20,197,277.77

23,099,977.75

Current Liabilities

Accrued Expenses 1,565.50

62,311.32

Provision for Gratuity

8,862,942.50

7,219,070.00

Unidentified Deposits

8,864,508.00

7,281,381.32

Total Equity and Liabilities 29,061,785.77 30,381,359.07

-END-