COLOMBO :The Centre for the Study of Human Rights (CSHR), Faculty of Law, University of Colombo is celebrating 30 years of excellence in human rights education, research, community outreach and dissemination of knowledge. Family members of Late Justice Professor CG Weeramantry donated the invaluable collection of books belonged to highly respected jurist, philosopher, professor and former Vice President of the International Court of Justice to the Centre for the Study of Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Colombo .
On 26 October 2021, the ceremonial opening of the Late Justice Professor CG Weeramantry’s collection of books and launch of the online database was held virtually as a part of CSHR’s 30th anniversary celebration and find the video recording of the event via https://bit.ly/3CA61dS.
This event was graced by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, Senior Professor Chandrika N. Wijeratne, Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, Dr. Nishantha Sampath Punchihewa, Heads of the Departments, Board of Management members of the CSHR, Academics of the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, Director, Deputy Director and the staff of the CSHR, Professor Romesh Weeramantry, the family member of Late Justice Professor CG Weeramantry and several other distinguished invitees and esteemed participants from Sri Lanka and overseas.
Late Justice Professor C G Weeramantry was born in Sri Lanka in 1926 and studied at universities in Colombo and London, earning a Doctorate of Law (LL.D.) from London University. He became a judge at the Sri Lanka Supreme Court in 1967. In 1972, he moved to Australia to be a Professor of Law at Monash University, Melbourne. In 2020, the International Justice Award in memory of His Excellency Justice CG Weeramantry was announced for the first time, to distinguished senior-level jurists whose lifeworks, intellect and character offer the highest possible credit to the memory of Judge Weeramantry and his international legacy, including his concern for the interests of current and future generations, his commitment to international law, peace and sustainable development, and his global humanism and leadership in the law.
In the course of professional career over five decades as lawyer, legal educator, domestic and international judge, author and lecturer, Late Justice Professor CG Weeramantry had played multiple roles. The collection of books referred by Professor CG Weeramantry was donated by his family members to the CSHR and now available at Resource Centre of CSHR under the following categories such as; biography, human rights, political science, literature, history, ethics, law, peace, science, war, social science, religion, nuclear, social help and books related to CSHR.
It was an utmost honour and pleasure for CSHR to successfully launch this event with the participation of eminent guests. The auspicious event was begun with the virtual lighting of the oil lamp and followed by a brief talk about Justice Weeramantry by Ms Eranga Dissanayake, the staff of CSHR. A delightful welcome remark was delivered by the Director of CSHR, Professor Wasantha Seneviratne, Professor in Public and International Law, Head of the Department of Public and International Law, Faculty of Law, University of Colombo. Dr Nishantha Sampath Punchihewa, Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Colombo address the event by sharing insightful thoughts. The next address was by Madam Vice Chancellor, Chandrika N Wijeyaratne, Senior Professor, University of Colombo followed by a virtual ribbon cutting as a symbol of the ceremonial opening of the Late Justice CG Weeramantry’s Collection of Books. Subsequently, all the participants had a virtual walkthrough to the library to perceive the collection of books referred by Justice Weeramantry.
Further, an inspiring note from Dr Rohan Perera, Former Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations and a remarkable speech by Professor Naazima Kamardeen, Professor of Commercial Law, Department of Commercial Law, Faculty of Law, University of Colombo on the title of “Contribution made by Late Justice Professor C G Weeramantry for the Development of International Law” adorned the occasion.
Indeed, it was an honour for CSHR to invite Professor Romesh Weeramantry, Head of International Dispute Settlement at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Centre for International Law and an Adjunct Professor at the NUS, Faculty of Law. In addition, he practices in the field’s international commercial arbitration and investor-State disputes as Counsel at Clifford Chance in Singapore. His career has included positions as a Legal Officer at the United Nations Compensation Commission (Geneva) and a Legal Advisor to the President of the Iran-United States Claims Tribunal (The Hague). Professor Romesh Weeramantry represented the family of Justice Weeramantry and cherished the event by enunciating a unique perspective about his beloved father and expressed their enthusiasm to visit CSHR Resource Centre no sooner the travel restrictions are relaxed. Subsequently he launched the online database of the Late Justice Professor C. G. Weeramantry’s Collection of Books which could be accessible via following link https://bit.ly/3Gy45VE.
Finally, Mr MAM Hakeem, The Deputy Director of CSHR and Senior Lecturer of the Department of Public and International Law, Faculty of Law, University of Colombo expressed his sincere gratitude on behalf of CSHR by delivering an astonishing vote of thanks specifically acknowledging keynote speakers mentioned above, members of the Board of Management of CSHR and academics of Faculty of Law, University of Colombo. Additionally, he wholeheartedly appreciated Ms Mahesha Abeywickrema Documentation and Information Officer; Ms Thilini Chandrasekara, Information Technology Officer; Mr Ruwan Chandrasena, the Library Attendant; Ms Eranga Dissanayke and Ms Ajra Azhar the staffs of CSHR and all the other staffs of CSHR for their tireless efforts and determined work ethics to make this event successful.
CSHR will always treasure this event as it was an incredible occasion where the golden quotes of Late Justice Professor CG Weeramantry were recalled, the enriched publications contributed to the literature of the legal jurisprudence were remembered and landmark rulings facilitated the progressive development of international law were reminisced!!!
