Indo - Lanka Environmental Law Week
2025
The University of Colombo’s Faculty of Law, through its Centre for Environmental Law and Policy (CELP), in collaboration with the Commonwealth Legal Education Association and Amity Law School, India, will host two environmental law programmes in October 2025. The Indo-Lanka Environmental Law Week (October 15-21) unites law students from Amity Law School and the University of Colombo to explore environmental governance. The seven-day programme features lectures, workshops, and field visits to wetland ecosystems, Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court, and Parliament, focusing on legal doctrines like the Polluter Pays Principle and Intergenerational Equity. Participants will conduct a community legal awareness campaign in Colombo and engage in cultural exchange activities to foster collaboration.
On October 22, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., the Indo-Lanka Policy Dialogue on Regional Environmental Cooperation will take place at the University’s Senate Hall. Themed “Shared Futures, Shared Responsibilities,” it will convene judiciary members, policymakers, and academics to address environmental sustainability within the BIMSTEC framework, producing a Policy Framework Document for the Bay of Bengal region. These initiatives promote innovative solutions for South Asia’s environmental challenges.
PROGRAMME AGENDA
October 15, 2025
Orientation & South Asian Environmental Context
| 11.00 a.m. – 12.00 p.m. | Colombo Charika (Campus Tour) |
|---|---|
| 12.00 p.m. – 1.00 p.m. | Official Introduction |
| 1.00 p.m. – 2.00 p.m. | Lunch |
| 2.00 p.m. – 3.30 p.m. | Briefing Session & Icebreaking for Students |
| 3.30 p.m. – 5.00 p.m. | Return to Accommodation |
| 5.30 p.m. – 9.00 p.m. | Inauguration & Dinner |
October 16, 2025
Regional Cooperation & Environmental Sustainability
| 9.00 a.m. – 9.30 a.m. | Strengthening Environmental Sustainability & Regional Cooperation – Prof. Kokila Konasinghe |
|---|---|
| 9.30 a.m. – 10.00 a.m. | Environmental Protection in the Context of War: Humanitarian Perspectives – Senior Prof. (Chair) Wasantha Seneviratne |
| 10.00 a.m. – 10.30 a.m. | Transnational Environmental Crimes: The South Asian Perspectives – Senior Prof. Jeeva Niriella |
| 10.30 a.m. – 11.00 a.m. | Prospects and Challenges of the Law of the Sea in the Indian Ocean – Mr. Hakeem Abubakar |
| 11.00 a.m. – 11.30 a.m. | Tea Break |
| 11.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. | Mediation as a Tool for Resolving Transboundary Environmental Disputes in South Asia – Prof. Gigimon V S |
| 12.30 p.m. – 1.30 p.m. | Lunch Break |
| 2.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m. | Site Visit (Gangarama Temple and Colombo City Centre) |
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Main Contact Points
Hotline:
Mr. Roshell Perera
Lecturer - FOL UOC
+94 71 484 1846
Student Affaires:
Mr. Kamal Ahamed
Lecturer - FOL UOC
+94 77 996 5890
Accommodations and Transport:
Ms. Jayani Christina
Lecturer - FOL UOC
+94 77 420 8046
Emergency Contacts
Sri Lanka Police
Emergency Hotline
119
Emergency Ambulance Service
1990
Ambulance / Fire & rescue
110
October 17, 2025
Health, Tourism, & Disaster Resilience
| 9.30 a.m. – 11.00 a.m. | Medical Tourism and Adventure Tourism – Dr. Prasad Herath |
|---|---|
| 11.00 a.m. – 11.30 a.m. | Tea Break |
| 11.30 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. | Disaster Relief in India and Sri Lanka – Ms. Pratishtha Mishra |
| 1.00 p.m. – 2.00 p.m. | Lunch Break |
| 2.00 p.m. – 3.00 p.m. | Disaster Management in the South Asian Region – Dr. Asitha De Silva & Centre for Disaster Management |
October 18, 2025
Corporate Responsibility & Environmental Protection
| 9.30 a.m. – 10.30 a.m. | Corporate Responsibility & Environmental Protection – Dr. Shamila Dawood |
|---|---|
| 10.30 a.m. – 11.00 a.m. | Tea Break |
| 11.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. | The Role of the Central Environmental Authority in the Environmental Governance in Sri Lanka – The Central Environmental Authority |
| 1.00 p.m. – 2.00 p.m. | Lunch Break |
| 2.00 p.m. – 3.30 p.m. | Visit to the Planetarium / Independence Square |
October 19, 2025
Environmental Heritage, Archaeology, & Culture
| 9.00 a.m. – 12.00 p.m. | Visit to the Sri Lankan Museum on Natural Science & History |
|---|---|
| 12.00 p.m. – 1.00 p.m. | The Role of the CELP in Environmental Education and Awareness |
| 1.00 p.m. – 2.00 p.m. | Lunch Break |
| 2.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m. | Evening Cricket Match |
October 20, 2025
Deepawali Holiday
October 21, 2025
Governance, Climate Change, & Wetland Conservation
| 9.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. | Visit to the Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka & Climate Change Secretariat Office, Sri Lanka |
|---|---|
| 1.00 p.m. – 2.00 p.m. | Lunch Break |
| 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. | Diyasaru Park (Wetland) |
October 22, 2025
Future Pathways: Policy, Law & Leadership
| 12.30 p.m. – 1.30 p.m. | Reflection on the Programme |
|---|---|
| 1.30 p.m. – 2.30 p.m. | Lunch Break |
| 2.30 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. | Policy Proposal Presentations, Certificate Awarding & the Closing Ceremony |