14 TH SAARCLAW AND11TH SAARC CHIEF JUSTICES

CONFERENCES

The Lotus (Nymphaea nouchali), which is depicted on the Conference Logo is the national flower of Sri Lanka. This beautiful and delicate flower is commonly used in ancient and modern local art as symbols of religious and traditional significance. The flower is a manifestation of purity, unity and respect. The lotus has a fascinating will to live and the seed can withstand thousands of years without water with the ability to germinate over two centuries later.

The lotus rises from the mud to bloom = Purity = LAWThe inclusion of more petals= Unity = SAARC nations

Used in temple art and religious offerings = Respect = JUDICIARY

SIYAPATHA

SAARCLAW was established in Colombo on 24th October 1991, with 175 members of the legal community including judges, legal practitioners and academics of the SAARC countries, signing the SAARCLAW Charter which provided for its establishment. Its preamble articulated the basis for its formation. On the same day, the first ever SAARCLAW Conference which was organized by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka was inaugurated by the then President of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Ranasinghe Premadasa.

Since then, SAARCLAW Conferences have been held in each of the SAARCLAW member countries. These Conferences have afforded opportunities for interaction, intellectual exchanges and for the forging of lasting friendships among its members.

In July 1994, SAARCLAW was accorded the status of a recognized Regional Apex Body of SAARC, thus becoming only the second professional body to receive that recognition, as at that time.

In 1995, SAARCLAW (Nepal) organized the first ever meeting of Chief Justices of the SAARC countries along with the regional SAARCLAW Conference. Since then, the Chief Justices conference has been held concurrently with the SAARCLAW Conferences as a closed-door event attended only by their Lordships the Chief Justices. This meeting has provided an exclusive space to their Lordships to deliberate on issues of relevance to the judiciaries of our countries.

We in SAARCLAW (Sri Lanka) take pride in hosting the Conference for the third time, in its birth place – Colombo, Sri Lanka to celebrate its silver anniversary + 1.

The conference under the theme “Emerging Legal trends in SAARC Countries” will be held at the Taj Samudra Hotel from October 27th to 29th, 2017.

We have great pleasure in extending a warm welcome to our colleagues in the SAARC countries to join us at this event and continue the spirit of cooperation that has been a hallmark of our organisation. The Chief Justices Conference will also be held simultaneously.

CELEBRATING A MILESTONE. 25YEARS + 1

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MESSAGE

MR. MEHMOOD Y. MANDVIWALLAPRESIDENT SAARCLAW

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As President SAARCLAW I am very proud to say that over the last 25 years the successes we have seen in SAARCLAW have been overwhelming.

The success of SAARC has to be seen in the light of the new mechanism of regional and people to people cooperation that the SAARC Charter envisaged in 1985. It was this firm belief of common heritage in Colombo, Sri Lanka almost 25 years ago where SAARCLAW was given the identity that it enjoys today.

We now celebrate the 25th Anniversary of SAARCLAW in the same country where it all began. This is the example we set for the parent organization that is the solidarity that SAARCLAW has been demonstrating for 25 years.

This 3-day event in Colombo welcomes attendance by lawyers, judges, legal academics and all those interested in the development of law in this region. It will offer focuses on current issues in a diverse range of areas. Together with highly experienced legal professionals, this is a rare opportunity for lawyers, judges, legal academics and all stakeholders in the legal sector to come together for a dynamic exchange of knowledge.

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MESSAGE

MR. NIHAL JAYAMANNEPRESIDENT SAARCLAW (SRI LANKA)

This year is of great significance to SAARCLAW as it celebrates its Silver Jubilee. It is also of greater significance to Sri Lanka as SAARCLAW was conceived and given birth to in Colombo by the signing of its Charter in 1991. On the same day the Charter was signed, the first ever SAARCLAW conference was held and ceremonially inaugurated by the then President of Sri Lanka His Excellency Ranasinghe Premadasa. It is in recognition of this fact that the Executive Committee of SAARCLAW unanimously decided at a meeting held in Karachi in January this year, that Sri Lanka should host the 14th conference and also celebrate its Silver Jubilee here in Colombo. During these 25 years, SAARCLAW has become an exclusive club of judges and lawyers who come together at SAARCLAW conferences in one of the SAARC countries to discuss issues of mutual interest with shared learning in the fields of law reforms, enforcement, justice administration, good governance and social justice. In keeping with the contemporary rapidly evolving issues connected with human rights, environment and technology, the theme of the conference is “Emerging Legal Trends in SAARC Countries”. The topics for discussion have been chosen very carefully to reflect the theme of the conference. I sincerely hope that the deliberations at this conference will benefit and influence not only the legal profession and the judiciary, but also the people of our countries. By tradition, the Chief Justices’ Conference has become an integral part of the SAARCLAW conference.

On behalf of the Sri Lanka Chapter, I welcome all of you and wish you a pleasant stay in our country.

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MESSAGE

MUHAMMAD MOHSEN RASHIDSECRETARY GENERAL SAARCLAW

SAARC was formed to promote social peace, stability, freedom, amity, social justice and economic progress in the South Asian region. Being “aware of the fact that law and the legal community has a role to play in developing and building meaningful cooperation in the region which is mutually beneficial, desirable and necessary for promoting the economic, social and technical cooperation for the welfare of the people in the region and improving their quality of life and contributing towards building national and collective self-reliance in the SAARC region”, members of the legal communities of SAARC gathered in Colombo on 24th October 1991 to form SAARCLAW. The formation of SAARCLAW was in effect, a well thought and a conscious effort, to bolster the pious wishes of the political leadership of the South Asian region (SAARC).

SAARC and SAARCLAW have made meaningful progress in many areas, in spite of huge political differences amongst the political leadership and the volatility of the region. SAARCLAW has brought lawyers, judges, academics within its fold. It has very successfully created a platform for the Chief Justices of the region to sit together for a conference simultaneously with the SAARCLAW conference, as they will do so, for the 11th time here in Colombo between October 27 to 29, 2017. SAARCLAW is also working to create a platform for the Attorney Generals and Law Ministers of South Asia, replicating the platform of the Chief Justices.

SAARCLAW has been debating within itself about the necessity to draft model trade and commercial laws suited to the region on the basis of wealth of experience that jurists within SAARCLAW have and to move the political leadership towards harmonizing important commercial and trade laws. An ambitious programme, but it is ambition alone which can take SAARCLAW to greater heights. It is possible because SAARCLAW is a repository of great juristic minds. SAARCLAW has now a permanent Secretariat in Katmandu, for which credit goes to Chief Justice Sonam Tobgye and my predecessor Mr. Hemant K. Batra. Had it not been for them, we would not have the Secretariat. SAARCLAW is institutionalizing itself.

I also take this opportunity of expressing my thanks and gratitude on behalf of the SAARCLAW fraternity to the Asian Development Bank who provided us with a grant to set up the Secretariat.

SAARCLAW now has an outreach which extends beyond its region. It is working with many International Organisations like SAIEVAC, SOLIDARITY CENTRE, PLAN International, International IDEA, World Vision (Asia Pacific office), UNAIDS, and International Development Law Organisation (IDLO).

I am grateful to my friends in the Sri Lankan Chapter who volunteered to host the 25th SAARCLAW and 11th Chief Justices conference in this beautiful city of Colombo. I must make a special mention of Mr. Nihal Jayamanne PC, the President of the Sri Lankan Chapter, who in spite of his ill health has overburdened himself and spared no effort in making this Silver Jubilee Conference a memorable one duly supported by his entire team. I am confident and hopeful that in the coming years SAARCLAW will progress further and work towards the achievement of its objectives for a better and brighter future of this region.

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27th October 2017 Grand Marquee- Taj Samudra Hotel06:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Inauguration ceremony, followed by a sit-down dinner

TECHNICAL SESSIONS (All technical sessions will take the form of panel discussions)

28th October 2017 08:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. SESSION 01 (Grand Marquee- Taj Samudra Hotel) “The Role of National and International Counter-Trafficking Laws in Combatting Issues of Trafficking and Forced Labour in International Labour Migration in South Asia" 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Tea Break08:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. SESSION 02 (Grand Crystal Room – Taj Samudra Hotel) “Artificial Intelligence and Human Aptitude Working in Tandem, Towards Defining Humanity’s Future, Legal Awareness, Ethics and Employability”10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Tea Break10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. SESSION 03 (Grand Crystal Room – Taj Samudra Hotel) “A Common Regional Platform for Combating Climate Change, Environmental Degradation, Depletion of Habitat, Decimation of Wildlife, Deforestation, and Promoting the Protection of Fauna, Flora and Sustainable Development”12:00 p.m. to 01:30 p.m. Lunch at Grand Marquee – Taj Samudra Hotel01:30 p.m. to 03:00 p.m. SESSION 04 (Grand Marquee - Taj Samudra Hotel) “The Confluence of Law and Technology”

01:30 p.m. to 03:00 p.m. SESSION 05 (Grand Crystal Room - Taj Samudra Hotel) “The Role of Law and Judicial Activism, In Order To Secure the Paramount Societal Interest”

03:00 p.m. to 03:30 p.m. Tea Break03:30 p.m. to 05:00 p.m. SESSION 06 (Grand Marquee - Taj Samudra Hotel) “The Role of Law and Lawyers in Advancing the Fundamental Principle of The Separation of Powers” 03:30 p.m. to 05:00 p.m. SESSION 07 (Grand Crystal Room - Taj Samudra Hotel) “Promoting Foreign Direct Investment and Cross Border Transactions in the SAARC Region, Through the Introduction of an Investment Friendly Legal Regime”

07:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Cocktails at Grand Marquee - Taj Samudra Hotel

29th October 201709:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. VALEDICTORY SESSION12:00 p.m.to 01:30 p.m. Lunch at Grand Marquee

I EMERGING LEGAL TRENDS IN SAARC COUNTRIESCONFERENCE THEMEPROGRAMME

A registered participant who wishes to submit an academic paper on any of the session topics set out above, may submit same to ziyan@aitkenspence.lk on or before 10th October 2017. Papers will be circulated at the conference subject to prior review.

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The conference is accentuated with opportunities to meet and reconnect with members of the legal community. The opportunity for camaraderie between participants of the member countries is a hallmark of SAARCLAW conferences.

There will be seven sessions on Day 2. Participants are invited to attend any of the sessions.

NETWORKING

CONFERENCETECHNICAL SESSIONS

The 11th Chief Justices conference will be held on October 28. This is a closed-door session that will be attended only by Their Lordships, the Chief Justices of the SAARC countries.

CHIEF JUSTICES CONFERENCE

HOTEL ACCOMMODATION

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Dates: October 27 – 29, 2017

Conference Hotel : Taj Samudra Colombo Sri Lanka Room rates for 3 nights : Single room = US$ 157 (per night) : Double room = US$ 172 (per night)

Rooms have been reserved at the Taj Samudra Hotel at the above special rates for SAARCLAW Conference delegates. This reservation will be held by the Conference Secretariat until Wednesday October, 11, 2017 and released to the hotel thereafter. The special rates will not apply after release.

Delegates are therefore advised to confirm the room requirement early. For reservations please call Ziyan on 94 777 788 931 or email ziyan@aitkenspence.lk. The Secretariat will provide the Hotel with a list of its registered delegates to whom the special rate will apply. Please note the cancellation policy when making your reservations.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATIONThe Registration Form is available at www.saarclawsl2017.lk and should be completed and submitted online. Alternatively, a scanned copy of the completed Registration Form could be emailed to ziyan@aitkenspence.lk.

FOREIGN REGISTRATIONSSenior Delegate – Over 10 years at the BAR USD 125.00Youth Delegate – 1-10 years at the BAR USD 75.00Accompanying Person USD 50.00

LOCAL REGISTRATIONS (For Sri Lankan delegates)Senior Delegate – Over 10 years at the BAR LKR 15,000.00Youth Delegate – 1-10 years at the BAR LKR 10,000.00Accompanying Person LKR 5,000.00

Conference delegate registration fee will cover entry to all technical sessions, invitation to the inauguration and sit-down dinner, cocktail reception on Day 2, lunch on Day 2 and Day 3.Accompanying Person registration fee will cover the invitation to the inauguration and sit-down dinner and cocktail reception on Day 2.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION CANCELLATIONSAND REFUNDS A refund of 50% will be made for any cancellation made before October 10th 2017. No refunds will be made on any cancellations after October 10th 2017. All requests for cancellations should be forwarded to Ziyan on 94 777 788 931 or email ziyan@aitkenspence.lk

VISA INFORMATIONDelegates are advised to apply for visas from the respective Sri Lankan Missions or online from http://www.eta.gov.lk . The Missions have been advised regarding the SAARCLAW Conference and will facilitate the issuance of visas to registered delegates.

DRESS CODEIn the hotel and for the Conference sessions, casual business attire is acceptable. For the inauguration and sit-down dinner, we suggest national or lounge attire. For Saturday’s (Oct 28) cocktails, smart/casual is suggested.

SOCIAL EVENTS& TOURS

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The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is home to about 60 elephants, some of which are baby elephants found abandoned or orphaned in the wild. They are being cared, fed and trained by the wild life authorities. The best time to visit the Orphanage is during the feeding times when you will have the opportunity of seeing the baby elephants being bottle-fed and enjoying their daily baths at the river. Lunch will be served at a restaurant overlooking the river.We then proceed to Kandy, the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and a World Heritage Site. The name Kandy conjures visions of splendour and magnificence where many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still proudly maintained. You will visit the Sri Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which houses the sacred relic of the tooth of the Buddha.

Enjoy a drive around the Kandy lake built by the last Sinhala King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. A visit to the Kandy Bazaar, the Arts & Crafts Centre and a Gem Museum and Lapidary will give you more insight to this ancient city.

Minimum of 02 personsUSD 20.00 per person

COLOMBO CITY &SHOPPING TOUR

Minimum of 05 persons USD 75.00 per person

VISIT TO ELEPHANTORPHANAGE &

KANDY CITY TOUR

Like many capital cities in developing countries, Colombo is also fast changing its façade. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood. Yet in some parts, the old-world charm is retained. For example, there is a 100-year-old clock tower and several colonial buildings built by the British. Other places of interest are the bustling Pettah bazaar where one can shop for bargains, the Captain’s Gardens Kovil, also known as the Sri Kailasanathar Swami Devasthanam, which is dedicated to Shiva and Ganesh, the Gangaramaya Temple and its library, museum and eclectic collection of bejeweled gifts. Also interesting is the tour around Colombo’s residential areas where you find the stately homes of the affluent, the Colombo museum, the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) - an outright gift to Sri Lanka from the People’s Republic of China, the new Parliament and the Dutch Museum.

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Galle Fort, in the Bay of Galle is located on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. It was first built in 1588 by the Portuguese, then extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards.It has been declared a World Heritage Site.

During your walking tour in the Fort you will visit the Maritime Museum which showcases a collection of boat models, maps, artillery and things found from ship-wrecks, some almost a century old. It is located inside a Dutch warehouse which was built in 1671.

In the evening, you will proceed to Balapitiya to enjoy a boat safari along the Madu River. This safari will take you into a wetland estuary spreading over 900 hectares of which 770 hectares is covered with water and inhabited with 64 islands. The bio-diversity of the Madu River is of monumental signification when considering the wide ranges of aquatic and avian life as well as wetland dwelling amphibians, reptiles, mammals that inhabit the environs of this natural treasure. You will see an ancient Buddhist Monastery, witness how Kraal fishing is carried out, and get an up close view of how Ceylon Cinnamon is peeled.

Your river safari will end with a delightful ‘fish spa’ as you dip your feet into the water and let the fish nibble at your feet.

Minimum of 05 persons – USD 50.00 per person

GALLE CITY TOUR

OCTOBER 10Last day to cancel Conference registration to receive a 50% refund.

OCTOBER 11Last day to avail yourself of special room rates at the Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo

OCTOBER 13Deadline for registration— Conference registration forms must be received at the SAARCLAWSri Lanka Secretariat by this date.

OCTOBER 27Conference inauguration and sit-down dinner

OCTOBER 28Conference technical sessions and Chief Justices sessions

OCTOBER 29Valedictory session and closing

KEY DATES TO REMEMBER

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14TH SAARCLAW CONFERENCE 2017OCTOBER 27 – OCTOBER 29 2017COLOMBO, SRI LANKA

REGISTRATION - OVERSEAS DELEGATE

SECTION A: REGISTRATION FORM

DELEGATE TITLE:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NAME:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SURNAME:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

LAW OFFICE/ORGANISATION (if relevant). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ADDRESS:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

COUNTRY:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

EMAIL:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TELEPHONE: (mobile):. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PROFESSION - JUDGE | LAWYER | LEGAL ACADEMIC | OTHER (please circle)

IF OTHER, PLEASE SPECIFY:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ACCOMPANYING PERSON NAME:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SURNAME:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SECTION B: PAYMENT DETAILS

A Registration fee:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

B Accompanying Person Registration fee:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PAYMENT METHODS Please email the completed form to ziyan@aitkenspence.lkYou will be issued an invoice together with account details to make your payment.Your registration as a delegate will be completed on receipt of the registration fee.

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The Registration Form is available at www.saarclawsl2017.lk and should be completed and submitted online. Alternatively, a scanned copy of the completed Registration Form could be emailed to ziyan@aitkenspence.lk.

For more information, visit www.saarclawsl2017.lk

CONFERENCE SECRETARIATCONTACT DETAILSNo. 315, Vauxhall Street, Colombo 02, Sri Lanka T: (+94)112 308 308 | Ext 6058F: (+94) 112 422 381M: (+94)777 788 931 E: ziyan@aitkenspence.lkW: www.saarclawsl2017.lk