The Foundation provides sessions for the Sri Lanka Judges’ Institute’s Judicial Induction Programme.
On 5 August 2026, Foundation research fellows provided three sessions for the Sri Lanka Judges’ Institute’s Judicial Induction Programme, a three-month programme for newly inducted Sri Lankan judges. 33 judges, who will work in the country’s magistrates’ and district courts, were in attendance.
The sessions focused on judicial research in support of decision-making and a rights-based approach to judicial reasoning and practice, contextualised within the Sri Lankan legal system. Introductory remarks were provided by Hon. Justice Hettiarachchi of the Sri Lankan Court of Appeal. The first session walked the judges through a framework through which judges might consider conducting research, reasoning, and reaching a decision.
The following sessions covered a rights-based approach to judicial reasoning and practice. The second session introduced this approach and justified its application in the trial courts of Sri Lanka, drawing on international and domestic case law and legislation. The third session demonstrated the techniques of applying a rights-based approach through exploring the seven different sources of law used by Sri Lankan courts, including the Supreme Court.
The sessions were met by a lively audience and individually followed by question-and-answer sessions, during which Foundation research fellows reiterated ways in which the judges might utilise the frameworks provided within their daily practice. This activity was conducted under the auspices of the project titled ‘Supporting Institution-Building to Stabilise Democracy and Strengthen the Rule of Law in Sri Lanka’, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.