User:Chrishmalw/Chrishmal Warnasuriya

Chrishmal Warnasuriya was adjudged the Outstanding Young Person of 2008 in the Legal category and received the coveted [JCI] / [HSBC] - TOYP award from the Chief Guest, His Excellency Dr. Peter Hayes, British High Commissioner for Sri Lanka & Maldives, at a grand ceremony held at the [Cinnamon Grand] on Friday, 12th September 2008.

Chrishmal had his education at S. Thomas' Prep., Kollupitiya and at [S. Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia]. He later completed Attorney's from the [Sri Lanka Law College] and was called to the Bar in 2000. He also graduated from the [University of Colombo] in 2002. He pursued his tertiary education, at times concurrently, whilst being employed in the [cabin crew] of Srilankan Airlines; thus being frequently sent away abroad on duty. He served his apprenticeship in the Chambers of [Mr. Faisz Mustapha, PC] and subsequently functioned as his junior. He secured a place at [Kings College], [University of London] and obtained a [Masters Degree in Law] (Hons) in 2007; specializing in Corporate & Commercial Law. He thereafter sought admission to be a [Barrister] of England & Wales as a "qualified practitioner" and being granted a certificate of eligibility, served his "first six" [pupilage] at [2 Paper Buildings], Chambers of [Sir Desmond de Silva QC]; himself a much distinguished personality, the [United Nations] in particular, appointed by [Kofi Annan] as Chief Prosecutor to the [Sierra Leone War Crimes Tribunal].

At a professionally tender age of 36 years and possibly one of the youngest to receive the TOYP honour in the legal field. Chrishmal has also obtained a postgraduate Diploma (Hons) in [International Relations] from the [Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies], engaging closely during the time with the Centre and its then Chairman, the late [Lakshman Kadirgamar, PC] in several conferences relating to [Sri Lanka]'s role in regional and international relations. His dissertation titled "[Sri Lanka's Security Dilemma" which is a geo-political perspective] of Sri Lanka's regional relationships, as well as his LLM piece titled "Legitimate Expectation - the need for review in Sri Lanka" has been highly commended; the former published in the "[LST Review]" of December 2006.

In addition to his chosen primary area of practice, "[Public Law]" his areas of professional engagements include the field of [Human Rights & Constitutional law] and [Civil & Commercial Law], [Judicial Review] and [Human Rights Law] relating to European and [International Court of Justice] precedent, UK & other European Immigration Law, Corporate & Commercial Law especially relating to Banking & International Finance, [International Construction Contracts] and [Alternate Dispute Res]olution mechanisms.

He has written extensively in the above areas, one of his most recent publications appearing on the Indian online Law Journal, [IndLaw.com] is titled "[The Banker/Customer Contract; Analysis of Sri Lankan & UK law]".

Chrishmal involves himself closely in matters and issues ranging from the [Rule of Law] & [good governance], [public interest litigation], Public International Law and Foreign Affairs with special reference to the Indian relationship. He was a member of the first ever Sri Lanka/India strategic dialogue in 2003 hosted by the BCIS, served on the sub-committee on Ocean law & Legislation under the [Indian Ocean Marine Affairs Conference] and took part at the conference on "the Role of the US in South Asia"; co-chaired by the former US Asst Sec of State and the then Sri Lankan Foreign Minister.

At school he captained the debating team, led several student bodies and was picked to represent Sri Lanka on an [AFS] award to Perth, Western Australia in 1989. A self-taught musician he plays [guitar], [keyboards] and [drums] fluently and has won several competitions, including the popular "Star Search" where he was amongst the 10 finalists in the year 2000; which led him to feature with several bands and as a compere` in the local showbiz scene. He was at one time a [news anchor] for [TNL TV], a regular host on [Rupavahini] and served for a while as a broadcaster for [SLBC] and other private stations in Sri Lanka.