• Law students, the Law College admin. and the Council of Legal Edu. weigh in on aspects pertaining to the increased fees at the Law College 

When it comes to the State machinery of any country, its three major institutions, the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary, play a vital role. Among these, the Judiciary is entrusted with the responsibility of upholding the rule of law and justice. The judicial system operates with the involvement of many parties, among which lawyers play a significant role. In our context, everyone who practices law in courts is referred to as an ‘attorney-at-law’. To practice as a lawyer in Sri Lanka, one must pass the Sri Lanka Law College (SLLC) Bar Examination, even if they already hold a bachelor's degree in law.

The SLLC is the primary professional body for lawyers, and every lawyer is once a registered student of this institution. The SLLC, once regarded as a symbol of elite education, transformed into an institution that accommodates individuals from various backgrounds due to the free education reforms implemented in the early 1950s. However, in 2023, a dialogue arose following a controversial gazette notification dated 5 January 2023 (Extraordinary Gazette Number 2313/49), which introduced an unprecedented fee hike. This gazette made headlines as it announced significant increases in various fees: the SLLC Entrance Examination Fee surged by 150%, rising from Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 15,000, while the fees for the Preliminary Year Lectures increased by 257.14%, from Rs. 18,900 to Rs. 67,500. Additionally, the Intermediate Year Lectures Fees rose by 170%, from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 40,500, and the Final Year Lectures Fees increased by 184.62%, from Rs. 19,500 to Rs. 55,500. Moreover, the Apprentices Practical Training Lectures Fees soared by 316.67%, from Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 25,000, and the exam Fees per paper were raised by 250%, from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 2,500. As a result, the total cost for State university graduates increased by 179.10%, from Rs. 33,500 to Rs. 93,500.

Following a series of appeals to reduce these exam fees, the Law Students’ Union of Sri Lanka (LSU) is now engaging with the new administration of the SLLC and the Incorporated Council of Legal Education (ICLE), which was established under Ordinance, No. 2 of 1900. Speaking to The Daily Morning, LSU President Binara Anthony stated that the LSU is currently preparing a formal request to the newly appointed ICLE, seeking relief for students in light of the increasing financial difficulties faced by all. He expressed optimism about the SLLC's current administration and its potential involvement in creating a scholarship scheme to assist students in need, in collaboration with the LSU. "Previously, the SLLC Entrance Exam fee was Rs. 16,200, which included the Examinations Department fee. Following continuous requests and efforts by former LSU officers, the fee was reduced to Rs. 13,200, which was a positive step, although not exactly what we had intended. We believe that an applicant who cannot afford Rs. 15,000 will not be significantly helped by this reduction. Therefore, we are committed to further lowering the Entrance fee. Former LSU officers have met with the Parliamentary Select Committee on Legal Education, the former Chief Justice, and the then Justice Minister to discuss these issues, and they were quite successful," he said. Regarding the proposed scholarship scheme and the LSU's future actions, Anthony noted that the LSU plans to address the newly appointed CJ, President's Counsel (PC) Murdu Fernando, as well as the ICLE. They also intend to meet with Prime Minister and Higher Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Justice Minister, attorney Harshana Nanayakkara. "The proposed scholarship is solely for internal students enrolled at the SLLC. In practical terms, we cannot extend this benefit to those taking the General Entrance exam. The LSU is currently working on establishing criteria and a process for the scholarship to benefit students in need. We plan to address and raise awareness about the issues faced by law students," he added.

Meanwhile, The Daily Morning also contacted the SLLC Principal to gather his thoughts on how he intends to handle the matter. The SLLC Principal, Prasantha Lal de Alwis PC, expressed his views on establishing a fund to offer scholarships for students in need. He also mentioned that the administration is working to implement this within the next two months. de Alwis explained that the proposed initiative appears to be a fund, creating a platform for members of the legal community and others to support students' academic and welfare needs. Concerning the increased Entrance exam fee at the SLLC, de Alwis expressed his concern and commitment to addressing the issue, stating: "If the number of students decreases because of the higher fees, that is not a good situation. Everyone should have the opportunity to enter the SLLC, and financial capability should not be the deciding factor."

He further noted that funds are necessary to improve the institution's infrastructure and human resources. "The SLLC has no source of income other than students’ fees. We are not funded by the Government. Currently, we have limited facilities regarding space. If we want students to attend lectures regularly, we need to offer good, qualified lecturers who are experienced. They should receive fair compensation. We need to renovate the hostel premises as well. However, we will not take any action that would cause inconvenience to students," he added.

LSU member Buddhima Perera, in his capacity as the Social Welfare Secretary, spoke to The Daily Morning regarding this issue, urging the authorities to pay adequate attention to the concerns raised by students. She claimed that issues related to the fees have been highlighted by many parties over the past two years. “In a situation where the fees have increased by 150-200%, many students, particularly those from middle-income families, are greatly affected. As student representatives, we receive numerous grievances from students unable to continue their education due to the financial burden imposed by this decision. We must pay special attention to law graduates who are preparing for their Final exams and the Apprenticeship lectures. Those who have completed their degree are now facing serious challenges because of this issue. Many of those graduating from State universities relied heavily on the ‘Mahapola’ bursary during their undergraduate studies. Therefore, we have encountered incidents where law graduates delay or give up on taking the Final Bar exam,” she said. Perera also mentioned a suggestion to introduce an interest-free loan scheme for LSU members, similar to what some private universities offer. “Currently, the administration is working closely with the LSU to establish a mechanism to address the pressure caused by the fee hike on students. The proposed scholarship scheme will be a positive development. We always advocate for equal opportunities in education,” she added.

The ICLE plays a crucial role in maintaining the quality and integrity of legal education provided by the SLLC.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, the Attorney General (AG), Parinda Ranasinghe Junior PC, who is a member of the ICLE, stated that no discussions about revising these fees have taken place in recent meetings. The AG noted that the fees may have increased due to the financial crisis facing the country and other reasons, such as a rise in utility costs. He stated that the SLLC must generate income to maintain the necessary infrastructure for students, including lecture halls and restrooms. "Without adequate funds, the SLLC cannot provide quality education," he added.

When looking at the views expressed by the students and authorities, we can see the necessity to fund quality education as well as how the fee-related increases threaten to restrict access to legal education and training, contradicting the fundamental principle that education should be equitable. It is crucial that all the stakeholders come together to address these concerns effectively. The proposed scholarship initiatives and interest-free loan schemes are steps in the right direction but need timely implementation to address financial pressures on students.