Becoming a lawyer was a wise choice – Nimesha | Page 2 | Sunday Observer

Becoming a lawyer was a wise choice – Nimesha

7 April, 2019

Justice and law are widely discussed topics in the current political and social scene due to numerous national issues. In such a backdrop Youth Observer thought it would be interesting to understand the perspectives of Law through the eyes of a law student, Nimasha Hettiarachchi.

Nimesha studied at the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, where she completed her LLB. She also completed a Diploma in Diplomacy and World Affairs at the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute. She hopes to complete her Attorney-at-Law finals at the Sri Lanka Law College while following a degree in Business Management.

Nimesha comes from a four-member family. Her father is a businessman, mother a homemaker and her younger brother is schooling. She completed her elementary education at Vision International School, Kandy and her secondary education at Girls High School, Kandy.

Although Nimasha’s childhood ambition was to become a teacher, she changed her mind later due to the recommendations of her family and teachers and due to good results obtained at her advanced level examination. However, with time, she has realized it was a wise choice since as a lawyer she would be able to do greater service to society. Her motivation to study law has been that the legal profession opens opportunities to a wide field of knowledge, allows one to see the world in different perspectives through research, and to serve people under different circumstances in diverse ways.

The law faculty opened many opportunities for her as a law student and that exposure has boosted her enthusiasm to study law further.

Nimasha expects to practice law preferably in the fields of Commercial or International Law. She hopes to serve people who seek justice and refuge in law, as it will contribute to enhance the public’s faith and trust in the country’s legal system and to increase their access to law and justice.

Nimasha said “Any profession has its own positive and negative ends. I have faith in the legal system of our country as well as in International and Commercial Law.”

Responding to a question on the economic prospects of young lawyers, Nimasha said “I am unable to provide an answer to this question as I am still a student. An initial struggle is always there for many young lawyers and I believe it is common to any profession. We’ve all heard Franklin Roosevelt’s famous quote, ‘A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.’ Similarly, I believe that no one becomes an accomplished person without troubles and tribulations. It is the struggle we go through that allows us to grow.”

Nimasha said “If Law is to be taught in schools, it should be in a simple and effective manner without making the subject a burden on young minds.”

When asked about her modelling stints, Nimasha said “I don’t do modelling as a hobby. I’ve done a few photo shoots during my university days and found joy in doing them. Modelling is a multifaceted career which requires a lot of skills and devotion of much time.

“I’m interested in drawing and painting. In 2009, I was able to hold my first art exhibition ‘Piyawara’ at the E.L.Senanayake children’s library, Kandy. I also volunteer for social service activities when I have time.

“During my short internship at the Legal Aid Commission, I observed that it does a great service to those who seeks its assistance. I also observed that some people were unaware of the existence of the Commission which supports people who are financially handicapped in hiring a lawyer to seek redress their problems. Awareness of the value of seeking justice should be enhanced and the opportunities should be communicated. If access to law and justice are simplified, it will change the public’s belief that going to a Court of Law seeking redress isn’t a waste of time and money. Most importantly, I would like to see people’s mind-sets change from ‘believing it to be a privilege of the wealthy or influential and not for the poor or powerless’. “ 

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