Emeritus Professor S W E Goonesekere

Subsequently, Prof. Goonesekere was appointed as a Professor of Law at the Open University of Sri Lanka in 1983. She gave leadership in establishing the first and the only Bachelor of Laws programme under the concept of life-long learning through the Department of Legal Studies in the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) where she was the first Head of the Department and later the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. The LL B course structure and course books used at OUSL were developed under Prof. Goonesekere’s leadership and are an example of her commitment to the promotion and development of legal education in Sri Lanka. In 1995, Prof. Goonesekere came back to the University of Colombo as a Senior Professor of Law. During her tenure at the Faculty of Law, she gave leadership to the revision of its curriculum bringing it on par with global leaders in legal education. In each of the institutions that she served, Prof. Goonesekere maintained high academic standards, professional ethics and a commitment to the continuous improvement of the institution through a culture of debate, discussion and seriousness of purpose. In consideration of her significant contribution to those institutions both the Open University of Sri Lanka and the University of Colombo have honoured Prof. Goonesekere with honorary degrees; an honorary Doctorate of Letters and an honorary Doctorate in Law respectively.
Regionally and internationally Prof. Goonesekere holds a reputation for excellence in research and advocacy, particularly in relation to the rights of women and children. Her appointment to the Committee under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (1999-2002) is a reflection of the wide recognition afforded to Prof. Goonesekere as an eminent jurist. Prof. Goonesekere has published widely in the areas of women’s rights, children’s rights, human rights, and development and governance. ‘The Sri Lanka Law of Parent and Child’ (2002), ‘Children, Law and Justice: A South Asian Perspective’ (Sage Publications 1997), ‘Violence, Law and Women’s Rights in South Asia’ (Sage Publications 2004) are some of her publications that are regularly used as textbooks both nationally and internationally. Her books, monographs, book chapters, articles, research reports etc are extensive in number and widely recognised as being excellent in their quality. She has brought many unique insights into the study and understanding of the role of law in society. She remains one of the very few local legal scholars authoritatively cited by the Supreme Court of the land, including in the celebrated case of Abeysundera v Abeysundera (1998) where a unanimous five-judge bench established a progressive interpretation to the statutory provisions on bigamy, overruling a former judge of the Privy Council given on an appeal from Sri Lanka.
Prof. Goonesekere’s expertise is not restricted to one area of law. Its sweep is very wide and deep: from matters connected to family law and rights of women and children; to legal systems, legal methods and education; from delictual obligations, equity, trusts and property to criminal law; from labour law to human rights law and constitutional law. In her teaching, research and practice, Prof. Goonesekere has underlined the need for understanding the ‘Law’ as a whole and as an inter-related concept rather than as a discipline that is compartmentalized. The interconnection between law, policy and the advancement of society has been highlighted by Prof. Goonesekere in her work.
Prof. Goonesekere has also made very significant contributions in the areas of proposing law reform, institution building, the development of policy and the management of institutions. Apart from her appointment to the CEDAW Committee, Prof. Goonesekere has chaired numerous committees, sat on boards of many significant and prestigious institutions and developed policy both at national and regional levels including an editorial member of the World Report on Violence against Children published by the United Nations, Chairperson of South Asia’s Women’s Fund, member of the SAARC Panel of Experts on Children, Chairperson and member of Asian Development Bank External Forum on Gender and member of Law Asia Standing Committee on Legal Education. She has collaborated with the United Nations through its different agencies including UNICEF, ILO, UNIFEM and WHO in the promotion of human rights, particularly that of women and children. In recognition of her outstanding achievements, she was awarded the Fukuoka Asian Academic Prize in 2008. That prize is awarded to those who through outstanding achievements in the field of Asian studies, contribute to the world’s understanding of Asia.
Outstanding national, regional and international achievements are only some aspects of the distinguished and charismatic persona of Prof. Goonesekere. Those who have learned under her and worked with her, attest to the dignity and integrity of Prof. Goonesekere. When Prof. Goonesekere was awarded an honorary doctorate in law by the University of Colombo, the then Dean, Mr Selvakkumaran in his citation made the following observation ‘I have found Professor Goonesekere to be a person who practices what she preaches. She upholds democratic values, human rights and respect for other’s views. It is her nature to agree to disagree without any ill will, hate or anger. She is truly a respecter of human rights and democratic values.’ (Citations for Honorary Degree and Convocation Address, University of Colombo 2005, 9). The University of Colombo is indeed both privileged and honoured to count the likes of Prof. Goonesekere among its ranks.