The Centre for Environmental Law and Policy (hereinafter CELP) of the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, is a pioneering educational and research institution focused on the conservation and restoration of the environment through law and policy. A unique feature of CELP is that its membership stands out in terms of its diversity in gender, ethnicity, religion, and geographical location. CELP is home to researchers from a broad range of disciplines such as law, science, management, and many other fields, all united by their shared interest in conserving the environment for future generations. The CELP logo was carefully designed in order to represent all these characteristics.
- The Guardstone
The Guardstone or Muragala, a very familiar symbol in ancient Sri Lankan architecture, is the most prominent feature of the CELP logo. Bordered by a leafy vine, this modified version of the traditional Guardstone holds great meaning. Used in historical architecture to protect the entrance to a building of great importance, the Guardstone in the CELP logo symbolises the similar protective role of CELP since it is dedicated towards the protection and conservation of nature and its riches in Sri Lanka and beyond. In the original version of the Guardstone, the Nagaraja – the central figure of the Guardstone – is sheltered by the hood of a seven-headed cobra, the symbolic guardian of water and treasure. In one hand he holds a punkalasa (a clay pot filled with water and a coconut flower) which represents prosperity. In his other hand is a budding branch of leaves and flowers. However, in the CELP logo, the Nagaraja and the budding branch signify the importance of fauna and flora in the natural environment. Hence, the guardian values the natural environment as a whole and balances the existence of both fauna and flora, thereby indicating that the prosperity of any land is dependent on the protection of both.
- The Double-Leafed Vine
The Guardstone symbolising the protection of the environment is bordered by a vine with only two leaves which symbolises the principle of intergenerational equity. The larger leaf painted in a darker green represents the present generation and it is connected at the stem to a younger, tender leaf painted in a lighter green. The smaller leaf signifies the future generation and represents CELP’s mission to build a platform where likeminded individuals of this generation can research, collaborate, learn and engage in order to build an environmentally conscious society that will last for generations. Together, it is the duty and the responsibility of these two generations to protect the environment as depicted by the vine which borders the Guardstone.
- The Lettering
Beneath the Guardstone is the abbreviation ‘CELP’, written using the English alphabet to address the global community. However, on second glance, one finds that it actually follows the style of Sinhala and Tamil script. The name is intentionally and artistically stylised to resemble the two national languages in Sri Lanka, Sinhala and Tamil. This represents Sri Lanka’s deep historical roots extending back over more than 2500 years and a heritage which valued eco-centric sustainability and conservation. Hence, using these artistic letters is a tribute to CELP’s Sri Lankan identity.
The Centre for Environmental Law and Policy holds intellectual property rights including, copyright and trademark rights for the CELP logo, and it is essential to ensure that it is accurately represented in all communications. Thereby, below mentioned usage guidelines must be adhered when using the CELP logo either in Colour or in Black and White form.
- Only the existing members of CELP can use the logo in relation to their administrative activities, presentations, letterheads, email signatures, promotional materials and any material connected with fundraising activities. However, it is essential to duly notify the Founding Director of any such usage of the CELP logo.
- The CELP logo must be used in its full form. Do not use only a part of the logo or in close proximity to any other design, trademark, text, graphic or another element in a manner that could cause confusion.
- Do not alter or distort the appearance of the logo in any way, for example, by adding your own design elements or changing the colours, font or scale.
- The CELP logo should not be adulterated by combining them into a composite with marks owned by others, or by otherwise redrawing or modifying them.
- Do not use the logo in a manner that disparages the reputation of the Centre, Faculty of Law or the University of Colombo or violates any applicable laws or regulations or internal rules of the University of Colombo.
- It is essential to apply on all printed and digital versions of the logo, the exact CMYK, RGB or Hexadecimal colour values as specified in the colours section
There are six different shades of Green Colour in the main CELP Logo.
