Prof. G.L. Peiris Trust for Legal Education and Research launched

The Professor G.L. Peiris Trust for Legal Education and Research was officially launched on this week's ceremony at Senate House, University of Colombo. The Trust Deed, drafted by Paul Ratnayeke Associates, was signed by Professor Peiris as settlor, and by the University of Colombo's Vice Chancellor, Professor Mahesh Indika Karunatilaka, the Faculty of Law's Dean, Professor Sampath Punchihewa, Sri Lanka Law College's Principal, President's Counsel Prasantha Lal de Alwis, and Dr Amanthi Bandusena, Professor Peiris' daughter, who will serve as the Trustees.

The Trust's income will come from royalties received from ten books on Sri Lanka's laws and legal systems penned by Professor Peiris, supplemented by a personal contribution of one million rupees made by Professor Peiris during the Trust's establishment. The Trustees hold the discretion to allocate resources annually to the Faculty of Law and the Sri Lanka Law College, depending on the needs and priorities at a given time.

The Faculty of Law announced the decision to institute the Professor G.L. Peiris Gold Medal for Criminal Law, a recognition of the former Vice Chancellor's unique service to legal scholarship. The Vice Chancellor lauded Professor Peiris for his leadership during a turbulent period in Sri Lanka's university system and highlighted his pioneering legislation in Parliament.

The Principal of the Law College emphasized the need for collaboration between the two institutions and highlighted Professor Peiris' contributions to enacting significant legislation. Former Vice Chancellor and Emeritus Professor Savitri Goonesekera, the guest speaker, recalled Professor Peiris' collaborative work with her over the years, praising his efforts to maintain high academic standards and increase student intake.