Faculty of Law Emerges as Runner-Up at the 50^th Jean-Pictet Competition

The Concours Jean-Pictet Competition advances students’ knowledge and understanding of international humanitarian law (IHL). The prestigious competition distinguishes itself from traditional law competitions by emphasising the practical application of IHL through its unique format, which includes impromptu simulated events and role-playing based on fictitious armed conflict scenarios, embodying the motto “taking the law out of the books”.

The Faculty of Law emerged as the Runner-Up in the 50^th edition of the Competition, held from the 22^nd to the 29^th of March. The preliminary and semi-finals rounds took place in Batam, Indonesia, while the team contested against the United States Air Force Academy in the final round at the National University of Singapore, Singapore.
The team comprised Ms Dulandi Gunasekera and Ms Oshini Pilapitiya. Ms Dulandi Gunasekera was duly awarded the Gilbert-Apollis Prize, awarded to the Best Speaker of the competition, in recognition of outstanding individual presentations and the embodiment of the Pictet spirit. The team was coached by Colombo Law Faculty alumni Thimanthi Jayasuriya and Asher Dias, while Kalindu Dharmapriya made a significant contribution to the team’s preparation.
The team extends its gratitude to Professor Sampath Punchihewa, the Dean of the Faculty, and Professor Naazima Kamardeen, the Senior Treasurer of the Moot Court and Debating Society, for facilitating mooting within the faculty and ensuring access to international competitions for Sri Lankan law students of the University of Colombo.
The achievement marks the second time the institution has emerged as Runner-up at the competition, following its first success at the 44^th edition in 2024, in Pokhara, Nepal. It reflects the faculty’s continued presence on the international stage and its commitment to excellence in legal education.