Travel Notes: A New Generation of Environmental Advocates in South Asia

Sri Lanka Training Workshop

Alongside the ruins of an ancient and eco-friendly civilization, dedicated environmental advocates began to build a new generation of South Asian public interest environmental lawyers.

In June, Sri Lanka’s Environmental Foundation Ltd. and the Public Interest Law Foundation captured the hearts and minds of 14 young South Asian lawyers at a training workshop in the ancient city of Anuradhapura. Two of South Asia’s most experienced public interest environmental lawyers, Lalanath de Silva of Sri Lanka and M.C. Mehta of India, presided over the workshop. M.C. told participants: ”A walk of 1,000 miles begins with one step.”

The 2,500 year-old ruins of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka—The City of 90 Kings—was the setting of the first of three training workshops. Fourteen young, spirited, public interest lawyers from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka came to this ancient capital seeking inspiration and the tools and resources they need to help communities challenge polluters and protect ecosystems.

Alex Hanafi, E-LAW U.S. Staff Attorney, traveled to Sri Lanka to help facilitate the workshop and was joined by leading public interest environmental lawyers from the region: Lalanath de Silva, Anandalal Nanayakkara, and Jagath Gunawardene from Sri Lanka; M.C. Mehta, P.B Sahasranaman, and S. Devika from India; and Khondokar Shamsuddin Mahmood from Bangladesh.

E-LAW U.S. Staff Scientists Mark Chernaik and Meche Lu (from Lima) participated "remotely," using chat software, while public interest scientists Leo Saldana from India and Hemantha Withanage from Sri Lanka participated on-site.

Trip Report
Alex Hanafi
Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

The workshop was held on the banks of a massive wetland, part of a sophisticated irrigation and water conservation system established more than 2,000 years ago. A bewildering variety of birds and wildlife frolicked nearby as the students got down to work.

The five-day workshop included sessions on South Asian environmental laws and regulations, strategies and skills for successful public interest environmental advocacy, tips on conducting and utilizing scientific research, and heartfelt discussion of how to sustain a public interest environmental law practice in the face of social, economic, and political challenges.

Trainees prepared cases and participated in three moot court sessions presided over by eminent Sri Lankan jurists, including a retired Supreme Court Justice and a current Appeals Court Judge. Sessions lasted from 6 a.m. to dinner and didn’t stop there: work continued late into each night, demonstrating the commitment and sincerity of the participants.

On day two, Lalanath de Silva reported: “In the early morning, the young lawyers are working on their assignments. Where are the submissions?” I ask. “Well sir, it is written but not typed.” OK, some pep talk about discipline and teamwork; some encouragement that the group can do it. I can overhear M.C. Mehta telling his group of another “tricky” strategy he used. They laugh, then scribble furiously, rushing to capture every word he says, every idea. Later, at 2 p.m., we are 30 minutes behind schedule. Where is everyone? All in the computer room scrambling to finish their written submissions! The young lawyers troop in, looking stressed out. Ah, but that is what public interest lawyers face in real life.”

In keeping with the workshop’s goal of active learning, a moot court exercise on the fourth day was a key part of the workshop.

On Day Four, Lalanath reported: “I run to my room and change into formal gear. Participants are walking in, all fully clad, some in the different lawyer’s garbs of the South Asian nations. The Registrar calls the case and the parties mark their appearances. Five young lawyers are appearing for the Petitioner in a case based on a famous environmental case from South Asia. One of the senior lawyers rises, flustering the team of young lawyers with a preliminary objection. But the students are ready for it and respond. Nicely done! The young lawyers take turns dividing the 45 minutes allocated. Each, in turn, is questioned by the bench...”

Toque macaques, found only in Sri Lanka, added to the drama of the final moot court session. Peering in through the large windows of the conference room, the “temple monkeys” jumped and raced headlong over the noisy metal roof. The students kept their composure, however, and delivered their arguments forcefully.

A closing ceremony in Ritigala, an ancient monastic complex built in 700 AD, brought the workshop to a close. Reflecting on the workshop, one participant wrote: “This workshop [was] a turning point in my life. I am sure I will dedicate my whole life to environmental law.”

Workshop trainees learned that they are not alone. They can call on E-LAW’s worldwide network of more than 300 committed public interest environmental lawyers for the legal and scientific resources and emotional support they need to help communities protect the environment and public health.

Alongside the ruins of Anuradhapura, an ancient, peaceful, and eco-friendly civilization, seasoned environmental advocates began to build a new generation of defenders of South Asia’s unique natural heritage. Many thanks to the U.S. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs for making the workshop possible.