KDU Moot Court & Debating Society

We congratulate University of Colombo Team B comprising of Hasna Imthiyas, Nethmini Weerakoon, Felician Shehan and Dhanudara Millavithanachchi on emerging as Champions of the 4th edition of the General Sir John Kotelawala Memorial Criminal Law Moot Court Competition 2024.

We congratulate APIIT Kandy Team A comprising of Pabodha Wijethunga, Fathima Ridha Tharik, Dithara Galanga and Anuththara Dissanayake on emerging as Runners Up of the 4th edition of the General Sir John Kotelawala Memorial Criminal Law Moot Court Competition 2024.

We congratulate Fathima Ridha Tharik of APIIT Kandy Team A for emerging as the Best Oralist of the Competition.

We congratulate Lakshadi Navodya of University of Jaffna Team B for winning the Best Oralist - Runner Up Award at the Competition.

We congratulate the KDU Team C comprising of Rajindh Gooneratne, Joanna Samuel, Sanduni Rathnayake and Omethra Abeykoon for winning the Spirit of the Moot Award.

We congratulate the KDU Team C comprising of Rajindh Gooneratne, Joanna Samuel, Sanduni Rathnayake and Omethra Abeykoon for winning the Best Memorandum for the Appellant Award.

We congratulate the Open University of Sri Lanka Team comprising of Mahalingam Mayuran, Tharaki Perera, Jeyakanthan Kishok and Sathiyaseelan Mayureshan for winning the Best Memorandum for the Appellant Runner Up Award.

We congratulate the KDU Team B comprising of Shevan De Silva, Dilara Sesadi, Chamodi Bopege and Thashini Weerakoon for winning the Best Memorandum for the Respondent Award.

We congratulate the University of Jaffna Team B comprising of Lavishka Herath, Sharanya Mathiyalagan, Lakshadi Navodya and Dilini Dambagalla for winning the Best Memorandum for the Respondent Runner Up Award.

We congratulate the KDU MCDS team comprising of Devmini Bandara (MCDS President), Binithi Nethanja and Chathurya Wanniarachchi for their outstanding achievement emerging as Semi Finalists at the 44th Jean-Pictet International Humanitarian Law Competition 2024 which was held in April in Pokhara, Nepal.

The Jean-Pictet competition is the most prolific and challenging IHL Competition which “takes IHL out of the books”; where participants are taken through a variety of practical challenges and assessments simulating scenarios within an armed conflict zone.

Over the course of 10 days, competing with more than 40 International Teams; the team displayed immense knowledge and skill to emerge as Semi-Finalists in a testament to the outstanding performance of the KDU MCDS in local and international Mooting Competitions in the last few months.

Highlights from the recently concluded 4th edition of the General Sir John Kotelawala Memorial Criminal Law Moot Court Competition 2024! ⚖️

The Criminal Law Moot Court is now in Session!

The Moot Court and Debating Society of KDU for the years 2023/24 cordially invite you to witness the Grand Finale of the 4th edition of the General Sir John Kotelawala Memorial Moot Court Competition 2024 which will be held on Friday, 26th of April, 2024 from 11 AM onwards at the Faculty of Graduate Studies Auditorium, KDU.

After submitting their written submissions and conducting Preliminary and Semi-Final Oral Submissions; it is now down to the two finalist teams; GSJK2401 and GSJK2406 to display their skills of oral advocacy and knowledge of Criminal Law in the Moot Court Case of Abeykoon Mudiyanselage Kalu Banda vs Attorney General which will be called to order before the Court of Appeal.

The verdict will be delivered at the Awards Ceremony at 3 PM. The Corridors of Law and Justice are overflowing with conversation as we approach the conclusion of this sensational case and the Counsels for both parties are gearing up for an ultimate clash of Brilliance in the Courtroom!

The Moot Court and Debating Society of KDU for the years 2023/24 cordially invite you to witness the Grand Finale of the 4th edition of the General Sir John Kotelawala Memorial Moot Court Competition 2024 which will be held on Friday, 26th of April, 2024 from 11 AM onwards at the Faculty of Graduate Studies Auditorium, KDU.

After submitting their written submissions and conducting Preliminary and Semi-Final Oral Submissions; it is now down to the two finalist teams; GSJK2401 and GSJK2406 to display their skills of oral advocacy and knowledge of Criminal Law in the Moot Court Case of Abeykoon Mudiyanselage Kalu Banda vs Attorney General which will be called to order before the Court of Appeal.

The verdict will be delivered at the Awards Ceremony at 3 PM. The Corridors of Law and Justice are overflowing with conversation as we approach the conclusion of this sensational case and the Counsels for both parties are gearing up for an ultimate clash of Brilliance in the Courtroom!

We congratulate the KDU MCDS Team of Tenuki Samaranayake, Tiyanie Wijenayake and Yonara Gunathilaka for their debut mooting performances in the 4th PGCL SAARC International Moot Court Competition 2024, which was organized by the Pravin Gandhi College of Law, India and held virtually from the 29th - 31st of March, 2024.

The team competed with International Teams from across the SAARC region addressing the Topic of International Humanitarian Law, and dealt with matters such as the commission of Crimes of Aggression, the violation of a Ceasefire agreement, and Humanitarian Law provisions applicable in the context of an Armed Conflict between warring States and armed rebel groups.

We wish them all the best for their future prospects as Mooters!

We congratulate the KDU MCDS Team of Merosha Shenani, Disarah Wimalatunge and Chathurya Wanniarachchi for their outstanding performances at the 20th K.K. Luthra Memorial Moot Court Competition 2024 which was held in New Delhi, India.

The competition is widely regarded as one of the most competitive International Criminal Law Moot Competitions in the region; and the Team were selected from among a number of prospective university teams to take part in the Oral Rounds of the competition on the basis of their written submissions. The team then competed among 75 international teams as the sole team representing Sri Lanka at the Oral Rounds of the competition.

We congratulate the Team on their perseverance and resilience in continuing KDU MCDS’ performances in International Moot Court Competitions this year!

We congratulate the KDU MCDS Team of Mr. Ashan De Alwis, Ms. Devmini Bandara and Ms. Gailee Ukwatte who represented Team Sri Lanka at the 22nd Red Cross International Humanitarian Law Moot in Hong Kong, which was organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Hong Kong Red Cross.

After intense competition among the National Champions of 22 Asia-Pacific countries; the team broke into the Quarter-Finals of the competition, ensuring that Sri Lanka ranked among the top 8 teams of the Asia-Pacific region.

The competition was conducted before International Humanitarian Law advocates from across the region on the topic of Criminal Responsibility for War Crimes, and was held in locations such as the Hong Kong Red Cross, Fanling District Court and University of Hong Kong.

We also appreciate the efforts of the ICRC, the Sri Lankan Red Cross and the Hong Kong Red Cross for the hospitality and opportunities provided throughout the duration of this competition.

The program commenced with the participation of Rajindh Gooneratne and Kaif Sally in the MCB Commercial Mediation Training Program. Thereafter, the team was able to secure a win at the Nationals in March of 2023. The team went up against the Royal Institute of Colombo in the Final. Akshat Garg was the assigned coach throughout the program.

Dinara Abeywickrema and Binithi Nethanja made waves entering the mediation arena at the International Investor-State Mediation Competition 2023, where they were nominated for the Distinction in Relationship Building Award. A week later, at their second competition in the field, they were able to qualify for the Semi-Finals against O. P. Jindal Global University, India. The team was coached by Rishika Pandey from India.

The VMSCL IDR (Lex Infinitum) competition is one of the world’s top 3 most competitive Mediation/ Negotiation competitions and is recognized as Asia’s most prestigious Mediation and Negotiation competition. Dinara, Kaif, and Binithi were able to secure the runner-up position after a heated Final with the National University of Singapore. Professional mediator Pascal Comvalius was a massive source of wisdom, support, and knowledge throughout the competition, and Lex was the first time Antonia Voit and Teresa Sihler coached the team.

ICC Paris is the World Championship of Mediation and the largest gathering of mediation experts and students from around the world. Kaif, Binithi, and Dinara were coached by Antonia Voit and Teresa Sihler for this prestigious competition. KDU is proud to be among one of the 48 international teams selected and would like to announce that the team was able to draw against the Jagiellonian University, Poland and won their rounds against the American University, Washington and the KU Leuven University, Belgium.

Across this first year, the memories, friends, skills, and knowledge the team has gained are immeasurable. In addition to the coaches, the KDU MCDS also wishes to thank all supporters, mentors, and well-wishers who guided the teams on their journey!

Our warmest wishes go out to the KDU MCDS Team comprised of Binithi Perera, Kaif Sally and Dinara Abeyewickreme, who emerged as the RUNNERS-UP at the LEX INFINITUM Mediation and Negotiation Competition which was held from the 17th - 21st of January in Goa, India.

After many rounds of intense negotiations, the team was able to qualify for the Final Round alongside the National University of Singapore, where KDU emerged finally as the competition’s Runners-Up. The Team also won the award for Best Negotiation Team of the preliminary round, out of 24 International Teams. 🙌🏻

We thank the team members for their outstanding commitment and dedication in enabling KDU MCDS to shine in the international arena. Our thanks also goes out to all individuals who assisted and supported the team in this endeavor.

We extend our warmest congratulations and best wishes to the KDU Moot Team comprising of Mr. Chandrika Manamendra, Ms. Devmini Bandara and Mr. Ashan De Alwis who emerged as the Champions of the National Rounds of the Henry Dunant Memorial Moot Court Competition 2023 on International Humanitarian Law which was organized by the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Mr. Chandrika Manamendra was also awarded the Best Speaker award for his outstanding performances.

We wish them all the very best and congratulate them on their exceptional performances!

The KDU Team A comprising of Mr. Chandrika Manamendra, Mr. Kaif Sally, Ms. Dinara Abeyewikreme and Ms. Sidrah Yoosuf became the Champions while KDU Team B comprising of Mr. Milinda Randeniya, Mr. Ashan De Alwis, Ms. Merosha Paskaran and Mr. Menura Perera emerged as Runners Up in a historic all KDU Final held at the Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition organized by University of Colombo.

Both Teams swept the awards board at the competition and walked away with the distinction of winning the following Awards:

🔹Champions - KDU Team A
🔹Runners Up - KDU Team B
🔹Best Speaker - Mr. Chandrika Manamendra
🔹Best Speaker Runner Up - Mr. Milinda Randeniya
🔹Best Written Memorandum for Petitioner - KDU Team A
🔹Best Written Memorial for Respondent - KDU Team A
🔹Best Written Memorial - KDU Team A

We thank all members of the team and the wider support system at the Club for their incredible dedication and commitment which has resulted in these groundbreaking wins for the KDU MCDS!

We also extend our warmest congratulations to all fellow participating teams and our appreciation to the MCDS of Faculty of Law, University of Colombo for hosting us at this third edition of the CLM Competition.

📸 : Captured above are some moments from the Inter-Faculty Debating Championship for the Vice Chancellors Trophy for the year 2023. The hallmark Debating Competition of the KDU took place with the participation of teams representing the Faculties of Engineering, Law, Criminal Justice, Defense and Strategic Studies and Management, Social Sciences and Humanities.

After intense and engaging performances in the preliminary rounds, the Final Round between the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Computing was adjudicated by an eminent panel of judges comprising of Mr. Kalinga Indatissa PC, Mr. Tirantha Walaliyadde PC and Mr. Anuja Premaratne PC.

We thank all the participants, students, volunteers and members of the MCDS for their valiant contributions in ensuring the success of this forum of debate, discourse and engaging competition.

At the recently concluded Inter-Faculty Debating Championship for the Vice Chancellor’s Trophy 2023; the team representing the Faculty of Law emerged as Champions while the team representing the Faculty of Computing emerged as the valiant Runners-Up.

The Champion Faculty of Law team were comprised of Chandrika Manamendra, Shihan Maharoof, Mayantha Warnakulasooriya, Chathurya Wanniarachchi, Shevan De Silva and Ruchira Ketawalakumbura out of whom Mr. Chandrika Manamendra was awarded as the Best Debater of the competition.

The MCDS sends its warmest congratulations to Kaif Sally and Rajindh Gooneratne for emerging Champions at the National Commercial Mediation Competition 2023 organized by the Moot Court Bench.