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Sri Lankan-Australian lawyers’ member group established
A new association for Australian lawyers of Sri Lankan heritage has been established to bring together over 300 practitioners under one umbrella and, among other things, promote diversity in the legal profession.
Jerome Doraisamy
Speaking to Lawyers Weekly, Melbourne-based barrister Surane Fonseka (pictured) said the Sri Lankan Australian Lawyers’ Association (SLALA) is an “association for lawyers and law students of Sri Lankan heritage living in Australia, this includes Sri Lankans by birth and by ancestry” that “was established to bring over 300 lawyers in Victoria and lawyers practicing throughout Australia under one umbrella, so that we could help each other”.
The group also strives to offer a “strong and informed voice” on issues that matter to its membership, strengthening community involvement and fostering relationships with a variety of professions that operate in the community, promoting competence, ethical conduct and professionalism as well as pro bono and public service opportunities.
Addressing the lack of diversity in the legal profession will also be a point of focus for SLALA, he added.
“We as a nation have embraced multiculturalism, diversity and pluralism. However, diversity is not adequately represented in the legal profession and especially in the judiciary. As I understand, there is only one person from Sri Lankan heritage appointed to the judiciary in Victoria. In addition, you do not see many from the Sri Lankan background in leadership positions, in government service or otherwise,” he espoused.
“This is not because they are not qualified or competent at all. I believe, this applies to other communities too. Even at the Victorian Bar, you will notice there are only a handful of barristers of Sri Lankan heritage. This has to change very fast, because it is long overdue.”
The government is aware of the lack of diversity in such positions, Mr Fonseka ceded, with some recent judicial appointments aiming to rectify this.
“However, it is way short of the number of appointments that is required to classify that as an adequate or fair representation of the minorities. Merely appointing one or two to deflect attention is not enough. There has to be a fair representation of the minorities,” he said.
As a result, SLALA must be there to advocate greater representation across the board in the legal profession, he concluded.
“It is imperative that leaders and non-leaders of Sri Lankan heritage (lawyers and non-lawyers) share their knowledge with the others. SLALA will be that platform and meeting place, for everyone to come together, share their knowledge and help each other.”
Jerome Doraisamy
Jerome Doraisamy is the editor of Lawyers Weekly. A former lawyer, he has worked at Momentum Media as a journalist on Lawyers Weekly since February 2018, and has served as editor since March 2022. He is also the host of all five shows under The Lawyers Weekly Podcast Network, and has overseen the brand's audio medium growth from 4,000 downloads per month to over 60,000 downloads per month, making The Lawyers Weekly Show the most popular industry-specific podcast in Australia. Jerome is also the author of The Wellness Doctrines book series, an admitted solicitor in NSW, and a board director of Minds Count.
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