The programme covers human rights and lawyering in times of crisis.
In cooperation with the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, the Foundation conducted a training-of-trainers programme from 7 to 9 August 2026. Stemming from an understanding that the roles and responsibilities of lawyers to uphold the rule of law and protect human rights intensify during times of crisis, the programme aims to equip a select pool of lawyers on the application of a rights-based approach to lawyering in those circumstances.
During the three days, participating lawyers worked through real scenarios to evaluate how different crises affect human rights and democratic principles, all the while building their skills to advance their clients’ rights and the larger public interest. The knowledge and skills gained by the participants during this programme will form the basis on which they will train many other lawyers across the profession in the same vein.
After an introduction by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka President, Mr Rajeev Amarasuriya, the first day of the programme established the context for the following days, defining ‘crisis’ and exploring the roles played by lawyers in those situations.
The second day introduced the legal framework of a ‘rights-based approach’ in a Sri Lankan context, justifying its application and delving into the techniques through which lawyers might employ it. The sessions provided evidence of the acceptance of rights-based techniques at all levels of the Sri Lankan judiciary, including through exploration of the personal examples of Mr Lakshan Dias, Sri Lankan Attorney-at-Law, and examined the practical dimensions of applying the rights-based approach at different stages of a trial.
On the third day, participants presented on select topics that concern the application of the rights-based approach in their own reasoning and practice. Through delivering short presentations on each topic, participants garnered experience that they will build on as future trainers in the rights-based approach.
This programme forms a part of the German Federal Foreign Office-funded project, ‘Supporting Institution-Building to Stabilise Democracy and Strengthen the Rule of Law in Sri Lanka’.