Opportunity for more students to study law

The first private academic institution to offer a fully residential law degree in the country was launched by Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology (APIIT) at a ceremony held in Colombo on Wednesday.

Dean of the Law School Straffordshire University, Rosemary Evans cuts the ribbon to inaugurate the APIIT Law School.

APIIT, affiliated to the Straffordshire University in UK offers the three-year degree program with lecturers from local and foreign universities.

The first batch for the degree was enroled early this year and the course commenced on Thursday.

The ground breaking venture in the country's legal studies paves the way for students to obtain a law degree from a recognised institution which is being partnered by world renowned law schools.

The Law School of Straffordshire University is one of the highest rated law schools in UK. It is among the top five legal education institutions in the country.

CEO, APIIT, Dr. Athula Pitigalaarachchi said he was confident that the APIIT Law School will make a sustainable contribution to legal studies in the region.

Legal education in Sri Lanka was a monopoly of state run institutions which could not cater to a wider segment of the student population due to lack of resources.

The highly competitive and restricted intake to the Law College and the Open University has deprived a larger student population who wish to pursue legal studies and enter the legal fraternity.

Dean, Law School Strafforshire University, Rosemary Evans said while Sri Lankans are hospitable they are also academically oriented and are professional in services.

"Quality of education should be the ultimate concern of any academic institution and it is certain that APIIT will deliver the best for its students", Evans said.

APIIT was set up in 1999 and the 10th anniversary was marked with the launch of the law school.The institution offers courses on computer and business studies.