People's Struggle Coalition Presidential candidate Nuwan Bopage highlighted the close connection between the legal profession and politics at the Lawyers Meeting held on 9 September at the M. D. Gunasena Auditorium in Colombo.

“Our profession itself is political. Politics has a profound impact on the legal field. We know that the first President of Sri Lanka originated from our profession; former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was a lawyer. However, it became clear to us that politics alone could not provide answers to our problems, which is why we had to choose political activism."

He further emphasised that, as lawyers, they often face the most pressing issues in society. Poverty and financial hardships drive individuals to commit crimes, and those affected by predatory microfinance schemes frequently seek legal assistance, giving lawyers a unique perspective on the deep-rooted crises within the community.

Bopage continued: "As citizens living in this society, we all have a responsibility to seek solutions to these crises. We cannot shirk this duty simply because we are lawyers. If we, as legal professionals, were successful, there should be a reduction in crime in this country, but that has not been the case."

Adding further he stated: "Today, over a million children in Sri Lanka go to school without a proper breakfast, and 26% of children suffer from malnutrition. Poverty and deprivation are on the rise, and this is the environment in which we are living. These societal crises inevitably affect us as lawyers as well. Many of our clients can no longer even afford to pay for our services. Can we simply look away and claim it’s not our problem?"

Bopage also criticised the recent legislative measures, questioning whether the Government had considered the views of those directly affected. He pointed out: "When the Fisheries Act was introduced, did the Government consult the fishermen? When the Land Acquisition Act was brought forward, were the farmers asked for their opinion? We know that around 50 petitions were filed in opposition to the social media ban act. We, as lawyers, debate in court until nightfall about the dangers of this law and how it infringed on public rights. If public opinion had been sought beforehand, such lengthy court battles would not have been necessary."

He concluded by condemning the current political establishment, stating that it does not align with the aspirations of the people. He advocated for a governance model in which citizens are directly involved in decision-making and hold real power. "We propose a system where people are actively involved in state governance and have the power to make decisions."

Bopage expressed hope that lawyers would continue to stand on the side of the people, just as they did during the Galle Face protests, the SAITM struggle, and other critical moments in the nation's history. "We expect that you, as lawyers, will intervene once again to ensure the People's Struggle Coalition emerges victorious in this election, in defence of the people's principles."