South Africa’s Justice Albie Sachs arrives

Renown South African Justice, Albie Sachs will arrive today in Sri Lanka to attend the inauguration of the National Law Conference 2016.

South African High Commissioner Geoff Q.M. Doidge along with the National Law Conference Convener Nishan Premathiratne will receive Justice Sachs on his arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport this morning.

The inauguration ceremony of the National Law Conference 2016 will be graced by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The arrival of Justice Albie Sachs to Sri Lanka is a privilege and a proud occasion for all Sri Lankan citizens, as well as timely in the circumstances where Sri Lanka is currently preparing for a Constitutional change as a solution to the ethnic differences existing in Sri Lanka. Justice Albie Sachs had been appointed to the Constitutional Committee on planning South Africa’s transition to multiracial democracy, and drawing up principles for a new constitution including drafting a Charter for a new non-racial State. Justice Sachs also argued that the constitution should identify rights to housing, water, health care and a clean environment.

South Africa’s first national multiracial elections were held in 1994. Nelson Mandela was elected President, with a ruling majority for the ANC in the nation’s parliament. The new Constitution, with the broadly inclusive Bill of Rights that Justice Albie Sachs had proposed, was adopted by the new Parliament, with the support of parties across the political spectrum, including supporters of the old regime. Nelson Mandela appointed Justice Albie Sachs to one of the 11 seats on the country’s new Constitutional Court.