No fee, legal advice free

Large numbers turned at the Srimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre to obtain legal advice free of charge during the exhibition commemorating the National Law Week organized by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL).

The BASL commemorated National Law Week-2006 from November 2 to 5. This is the first time Sri Lanka is having such exhibition after the Government declared ‘National Law Week’ from October 30 to November 5.

The theme of this year’s National Law Week exhibition was ‘Access to Justice’.

BASL President Nihal Jayamanne told The Sunday Times the public has shown much interest and was actively participating in the exhibition. He said he strongly believes this exhibition would build a bridge between Law and the public.

“For years lawyers have only thought about themselves and their clients, instead of focusing on social responsibility. This time we are giving one week of our service free of charge to the public,” he said.

He said there were more than 75 stalls, which provided advice on legal problems in day-to-day life.

“Six well-known law firms have joined with us and have stalls providing free legal advice. Even a poor villager who cannot afford to get legal advice can come and get it from one of those stalls free of charge”, he said.

The Law College and the Law Faculty of the Colombo University have stalls for academics and others.

Books on different subjects of Law were available at the exhibition. Law students and school students who had an intention of taking to Law were seen purchasing books available at affordable prices.

“This is a good opportunity for people to learn about the present law in Sri Lanka, function of departments and authorities, not forgetting how to solve problems through the legal system.” said Randhika, a law student.

At the stall of the Registrar General’s Department application forms for birth, marriage and death certificates and advice can be obtained. Priscilla Chandani has come all the way from Rambukkana to see this exhibition.

“If this turns out to be an annual exhibition, people will get a lot more attracted and will also appreciate the service of lawyers for taking on a social responsibility” she said.

“The turnout is very satisfying. We noticed that some people even came with their deeds and domestic problems to meet lawyers. It is sad to know that all these years people have slept over their rights. The BASL hopes this exhibition will benefit many Sri Lankans,” said Dilhan de Silva, a member of the organizing committee of the exhibition.

Some of the stalls are those of the Attorney General’s Department, Registrar General’s Department, Mediation Unit of the Ministry of Justice, Judicial Service Commission, Legal Aid Commission, Human Rights Commission, Asia Foundation, Women In Need, Employees Trust Fund, Police Commission, Child Protection Authority, Prisons Dept, Bribery or Corruption Commission, Coast Conservation Department, Trade, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Authority and the National Dangerous Drugs Control Unit.