BIOGRAPHY

Professor W. I. Nanayakkara is a distinguished legal academic, Attorney-at-Law, and former Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo. A Professor of Commercial Law with more than three decades of experience in teaching, research, and academic administration, she has made significant contributions to legal education and the development of commercial law in Sri Lanka. She has served as Head of the Department of Commercial Law and Dean of the Faculty of Law, providing exemplary academic leadership while advancing curriculum development, research, and quality assurance. Professor Nanayakkara has taught a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, published extensively in the fields of commercial and international investment law, and served as a visiting lecturer, examiner, and resource person for numerous universities and professional institutions. Her enduring commitment to legal scholarship, academic excellence, and the advancement of the legal profession has earned her widespread recognition as one of Sri Lanka’s leading legal academics.

Qualifications, Fellowships and Certifications

  • M. Phil. 1998

    Master of Philosophy

    Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

  • LL.B 1986

    Bachelor of Laws

    Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

  • Attorney-at-Law 2001

    Attorney-at-Law

    The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka

  • CTHE 1998

    Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education (Staff and Educational Development Association, UK)

    Staff Development Centre, University of Colombo

Positions

  • 20212015

    Dean

    Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

  • 20092008

    Head of the Department

    Department of Commercial Law, Faculty of Law, University of Colombo

  • Present1991

    Life member

    Bar Association of Sri Lanka

  • Present2014

    Member

    Alumni Association of the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo

  • Present2013

    Member

    Ethics Review Committee, Faculty of Law, University of Colombo

  • 20152004

    Member

    Routine Matters Sub-Committee of the Faculty Board of the Faculty of Law

  • 20162015

    Member

    Standing Committee on Social Sciences of the University Grants Commission, Sri Lanka

  • Present2016

    Member

    Standing Committee on Legal Studies of the University Grants Commission, Sri Lanka

  • Present2008

    Senate nominee

    The Board of Management of the Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo

  • Present2008

    Member

    Senate, University of Colombo

  • 20152010

    Dean’s representative

    Higher Education for the 21st Century University Development Grant (HECT)

  • 20152008

    Member

    Academic Committee of the Centre for The Study of Human Rights, university of Colombo

  • Present2015

    Lecturer, Moderator, Examiner

    Certificate Course of Business Law, Department of Commercial Law, Faculty of Law

  • Present2007

    Lecturer and Examiner

    Master of Laws Programme, University of Colombo

  • Present2007

    Course Director for Banking Law

    Master of Laws Programme, University of Colombo

  • Present2008

    Lecturer, Moderator, Examiner,

    Faculty of Management, University of Colombo

  • Present1990

    Visiting Lecturer, Moderator, Examiner

    The Department of Legal Studies, Open University of Sri Lanka

  • Present2014

    Examiner

    Sri Lanka Law College

  • Present2010

    Guest Lecturer, Moderator, Examiner

    Department of Law, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka

  • 20102008

    Visiting Lecturer, Examiner

    Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Colombo

  • 20131989

    Setting, Marking and Moderating Examiner

    Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka

  • Present1989

    Examiner

    The Institute of Certified Management Accountants (CMA) of Sri Lanka

  • 19901989

    Lecturer in Law of Persons

    Training Programme on Legal Education, The National Association for Total Education

  • 20002000

    Visiting lecturer

    Department of Economics, Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo

  • 20152006

    Examination Coordinator

    Faculty of Law, University of Colombo

  • 20152008

    Chief Coordinator / Online External LL.B Programme

    Virtual Campus, University of Colombo

  • Present2010

    Member

    Quality Assurance Unit

  • 19951994

    Assistant Secretary

    Law Teacher’s Association, University of Colombo

  • 19941989

    Committee Member

    Law Teacher’s Association, University of Colombo

  • 19901987

    Academic Warden

    Havelock Road Women’s hostel, University of Colombo

  • 20262000

    Member

    Committee on Future Development of the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo

  • 19921989

    Temporary Student Counselor

    Faculty of Law, University of Colombo

  • 19931991

    Senior Treasurer

    Student Union, Faculty of Law, University of Colombo

  • 20001999

    Member

    Core group for drafting new legislation on Partnership Law,

  • 19901989

    Co-ordinator Examination

    Sri Lanka Administrative Service Open Competitive Examinations for Recruitment

  • 20112009

    Member

    Sports Board, University of Colombo

  • 20152004

    Member

    Routine Matters Committee for Undergraduate and Post graduate studies, two sub committees of the Faculty Board of the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo

  • 20052003

    Member

    Student Supportive Committee, Faculty of Law, University of Colombo

  • 20001999

    Member

    Participated in the World Bank and Ministry of Justice (Sri Lanka) project on Revising the Commercial and Economic Law curricula of Law Schools in Sri Lanka