Home > Projects > Sri Lanka > Consolidating the Rule of Law in Sri Lanka: Strengthening the Resilience of Democratic Institutions to Promote Stability in the Face of Crises

Consolidating the Rule of Law in Sri Lanka: Strengthening the Resilience of Democratic Institutions to Promote Stability in the Face of Crises

Sri Lanka is emerging from the depths of the social, political and economic crisis of the past few years. In this context, institutions such as the judiciary, parliament and fourth-branch institutions like the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption play a significant role in ensuring a smooth recovery. They provide essential checks and balances on the exercise of executive power and have a mandate to hold the executive accountable for mismanagement. To perform these functions, these stakeholders must develop resilience and strengthen their skills and competencies to understand their constitutional and legal role during moments of crisis and recovery. The Foundation aims to contribute to Sri Lanka’s stabilisation and thus, the rule of law and democratic principles, by promoting the ability of stakeholders to perform these functions in line with the country’s domestic and international legal obligations.

Building on strong partnerships formed during previous projects, the Foundation will continue to work with the Sri Lanka Judges’ Institute, the Human Rights Commission, and the Bar Association of Sri Lanka during this project. Several capacity-building activities designed to advance the knowledge and skills of lower court judges and lawyers to uphold and promote human and fundamental rights during times of crisis will be convened. Furthermore, the Foundation and the Sri Lanka Judges’ Institute, in collaboration with the Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law at the University of New South Wales, aim to continue its work with the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka.

The Foundation will also work with a new partner during this project: the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). This institution has been identified as a key actor in aiding Sri Lanka’s long-term stabilisation by eliminating corruption and the causes of corruption.