• ‘Impel 24’ touches on country’s elections and proposed legislation

‘Impel 24’, the latest edition of a remarkable series of panel discussions and webinars organised by the Independent Law Student Movement of the Sri Lanka Law College, was held last week (4 April) at the M.D. Gunasena Lilian Auditorium, Hulftsdorp.

The panel discussion titled ‘Sri Lanka – Stepping into a Deep State?’ was graced by three exemplary legal luminaries: President’s Counsels Prasantha Lal De Alwis and Jagath Wickramanayake, and Rector of the University of Colombo affiliated Sri Palee Campus Professor in Law Prathibha Mahanamahewa. 

The panel discussion touched on several key timely issues, including the upcoming Presidential Election and certain pieces of legislation such as the proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill, Online Safety Act, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which sparked controversy during the past few years.

Highlighting the possibility of emerging political trends ahead of the two main national elections, the panellists underscored how certain socio-economic issues and global political behaviour, especially Sino-Indian power rivalry, have been more decisive factors in the country’s politics than ever. The distinguished panel also shared their accomplished experience with the law students in attendance and enlightened their career goals, unveiling greater heights of the profession.