20th anniversary and ICLP Award Ceremony 2012

Institute for the Development of Commercial Law and Practice (ICLP) celebrated its 20th Anniversary and the ICLP Award Ceremony recently. The ceremony was graced by Chief Justice (Dr.) Shirani Bandaranayake along with Justice Saleem Marsoof PC and Justice P.A. Ratnayeke PC.

The distinguished guests addressed the gathering emphasising the importance of Arbitration as a dispute resolution mechanism in the Commercial sphere and the ways in which it could be popularised within Sri Lanka. The ICLP and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) endeavour to strengthen the capacities of personnel in the shipping industry was also well commended.  

The pioneers of ICLP who have been contributing since inception were honoured at the event. ICLP Arbitratrion Centre Founder Chairman (Late) Chandra Wijenayeke was honoured and his contributions were recognised with deep gratitude. Wijenaike a leading businessman realising the need of an internationally accepted dispute resolution mechanism for a booming economic development was able to convince thirteen blue chip companies to contribute towards the establishment of the ICLP. His un-daunting and selfless acts of dedication were appreciated. Tokens of appreciations were presented to Founder Members U.L. Kadurugamuwa, (the present Chairman), K. Kanag-Isvaran PC and the Secretary General and the Course Director of ICLP S.S. Wijeratne as a mark of honour.  

The inception of the ICLP was due to the vision of U.L. Kadurugamuwa. With the assistance of the Swedish Institute for Legal Development he procured funding for the key activities of the ICLP and more importantly for the drafting and enactment of the Arbitration Act.

Kanag-Isvaran, another founder Member of the Council of Management of ICLP is a Co-Editor of ICLP Publication ‘Arbitration Law in Sri Lanka’. He also heads the Faculty of Diploma in Commercial Arbitration Course of the ICLP and contributes immensely for the ICLP- CCC Certificate Course on Shipping Law and Practice.

S.S. Wijeratne who is a Member of the Council of ICLP is also the Secretary General of the ICLP Arbitration Centre, Co-editor of the ICLP Publication ‘Arbitration Law in Sri Lanka’ and also the Course coordinator of both the Diploma in Commercial Arbitration and the ICLP-CCC Shipping Law and Practice Course. His leadership throughout the past years has taken the Institute to new heights to fulfil the vision of its founders. The yeoman services and the instrumental source of inspiration of these three gentlemen were greatly appreciated. Walter Laduwahetty and Nalin Abeysekere PC were also recognised for their continuous guidance as Board Members of the ICLP Arbitration Centre from the inception in 1996. The institute also recognised the Administrative Officer Parakrama Jayaweera for his 14 years of dedicated services.

29 students who followed the Diploma in Commercial Arbitration were awarded diplomas and 24 students who followed the ICLP –CCC Certificate course were presented with the certificates.

Registration is now open for the next ICLP –CCC Certificate course, which will commence on 6 October. The Diploma in Commercial Arbitration will commence in January 2013. For more information visit www.iclparbitrationcentre.com.