The judicial reform introduced by Mohan Peiris during his tenure as Chief Justice of Sri Lanka in terms of electronic filing of cases, and intensive training for enhanced efficiency in administration of justice were considered for the recognition. His pivotal role in structuring the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission and post-conflict recommendations were also cited. The award also acknowledged Mohan Peiris for his “brilliant legal mind”, “true professionalism”, and “qualities of head and heart rarely found in mainstream legal practitioners” today.
Mohan Peiris PC, The Former Chief Justice And Attorney General, Was The Joint Winner Of The SILF MILAT South Asian Jurist Award 2017, Along With Prof Dr Tara Prasad Sapkota, Dean, Faculty Of Law, Tribhuvan University Of Nepal, At The Ninth Law Teachers’ Day Awards In New Delhi. The Society Of Indian Law Firms (SILF) And The Menon Institute Of Legal Advocacy Training (MILAT) Recognised Mohan Peiris For His Contribution To Rule Of Law, Human Rights And Constitutionalism.
Justice Mohan Peiris started his career as an attorney-at-law in Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court in 1975. He has been a State Counsel for 15 years and practised as a private attorney for another 15 years in civil, criminal and constitutional matters. In 2008, Mohan Peiris was appointed the Attorney General of Sri Lanka and in 2013 appointed as Chief Justice.
Mohan Peiris also addressed the ‘Restructuring the LLB Course to make Graduate Practice Ready’ at a symposium held prior to the awards.
The Society of Indian Law Firms and Menon Institute of Legal Advocacy Training have been observing the Law Teachers’ Day annually since 2009 and select recipients of awards under numerous categories such as the Prof N R Madhava Menon Best Law Teacher, Legal Education Innovation, Best Law Students of the Year, and Institutional Excellence.
Commenting on the awards, Lalit Bhasin, President, Bar Association of India, and President, SILF, said, “Each year we try to honour the most deserving law teachers and institutions not only in India but within the SAARC region. This year, we are especially proud to honour the two eminent jurists from Nepal and Sri Lanka. Going ahead, we hope to continue honouring our teachers because they help build the foundations of the entire legal fraternity.”
