Another Successful Access to Justice Programme by iProbono

iProbono hosted its second bilingual residential training, the Access to Justice (A2J) Programme, at Bentota, Sri Lanka from 22 to 24 September 2023. The A2J Programme, initiated in 2021, is carefully tailored to provide expert coaching to legal professionals and law enforcement on handling matters related to vulnerable minorities such as the LGBT+ community, women and children; while promoting pro bono culture in Sri Lanka. This year’s A2J Programme brought together 15 lawyers, 18 police officers and 5 activists to share ideas, practical difficulties and best practices to promote understanding and cohesion between parties directly involved in seeking justice for victims.

The programme included a versatile agenda of sessions, including:

1. Three technical trainings on violence against women, child rights and rights of the LGBT+ community with veteran experts.
2. Guest lecture on the civil liability of Police conducted by former Solicitor General Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe, P.C.
3. Two storytelling sessions on real-life experiences of transgender individuals conducted by Ishara De Silva and Bhoomi Harendran.
4. Two panel discussions on ‘professional ethics and conduct’ and ‘realities of LGBT+ individuals’.

The child rights training was conducted by senior lawyer and Executive Director of Child Protection Force, Milani Salpitikorala and her team. Participants were made aware of the relevant laws and also the practical realities of how a matter progresses from police to child protection authorities to Court alongside the study of real-life case studies. The training also focused on victim care and sensitisation, and shed light on some of the more nuanced offences committed in cyberspace against children.

Jerusha Crosette-Thambiah conducted the violence against women training drawing on her experience as a seasoned women’s rights advocate and lawyer specialising in sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). After a quick overview of the law, she focused on the practical realities that needed to be understood by lawyers and police alike when dealing with victims of violence. Jerusha then opened the floor for free and frank communication between all, inviting them to share their issues and expectations to improve policing and the protection of all persons against SGBV.

Radhika Gunaratne, an experienced lawyer and veteran journalist, conducted the final training on LGBT+ matters. She provided insight to the participants on the unique issues faced by the LGBT+ community, the application of the current law and the practicalities of it, bringing all parties together to solve LGBT+ specific case studies to promote understanding among the participants on how the Police see the issue versus how a lawyer or activist sees it. The key takeaway from this session was navigating and interpreting laws to achieve justice and fairness, and to ensure equal protection is afforded to all.

Through A2J 2023, iProbono has expanded its community of committed individuals who are passionate about protecting the most vulnerable communities in our country. The duty to secure equal access to justice for all, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, economic status or race remains at the pinnacle of their network.

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