Prof. Savitri Goonesekere

The University of Colombo’s first female Vice Chancellor and its first woman Professor of Law, Prof. Savitri Goonesekere has been described as a ‘legal luminary,’ ‘woman pioneer’ and ‘legend in the legal and academic fields of Sri Lanka.’

She is responsible for groundbreaking contributions here in Sri Lanka, and in South Asia, to research on children’s and women’s rights, human rights law and legal education.

The distinguished academic and legal professional – who has been acclaimed for her intellect and ethics – entered the Faculty of Arts with a university scholarship and graduated from the then Department of Law at the University of Peradeniya with First Class Honours in 1961.

Qualifying as an attorney-at-law, she went on to read for her master’s degree at Harvard Law School in 1962 as a Smith-Mundt Fulbright scholar.

She has collaborated with the UN through its different agencies including UNICEF, UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), ILO and WHO to promote human rights – particularly those of women and children. In recognition of her outstanding achievements, she was awarded the Fukuoka Asian Academic Prize in 2008.

Regionally and internationally, Goonesekere is renowned for her research and advocacy, particularly in relation to the rights of women and children. To this end, she was appointed to the committee under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 2002.

Moreover, she has authored publications that are regularly used as textbooks locally and beyond – among them are ‘The Sri Lanka Law of Parent and Child,’ ‘Children, Law and Justice: A South Asian Perspective’ and ‘Violence, Law and Women’s Rights in South Asia.’

Prof. Savitri Goonesekere’s trailblazing journey has seen her being described as ‘an icon for women’s empowerment and equality, both in Sri Lanka and the region.’