Cabinet approval has been granted to officially declare July 6 as ‘National Legal Aid Day’, recognising the importance of expanding access to justice and raising public awareness of legal rights and remedies.
The initiative stems from the Legal Aid Law No. 27 of 1978, under which the Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka was established to provide services to vulnerable and marginalized groups.
The Commission plays a key role in protecting fundamental rights, strengthening the rule of law, and promoting equal access to justice through legal aid and public awareness programmes.
According to the government, the declaration aims to highlight the significance of legal aid services, improve public understanding of legal rights, and facilitate national dialogue on law enforcement.
The proposal to designate July 6 was presented by the Minister of Justice and National Integration and approved by the Cabinet of Ministers, formally certifying the date as the country’s National Legal Aid Day. (Newswire)