(Geneva/Hong Kong)
The Right Livelihood Award Foundation is deeply saddened by the loss of Justice C.G Weeramantry, who passed away in his native Sri Lanka on January 5, aged 90.
Justice Christopher Gregory Weeramantry, legal luminary, distinguished author, and renowned pacifist is no more. A Laureate of the 2007 Right Livelihood Award, Justice Weeramantry led an illustrious career that saw him serve as judge of the Sri Lankan Supreme Court, Professor of Law at Monash University, and Vice Chairman at the International Court of Justice.
Justice Weeramantry passed away on the afternoon of January 5, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in the company of his wife, children, and some of his grandchildren. A memorial service was held in his honour at St. Mary’s Church, Bambalapitiya.
Ole von Uexkull, Executive Director of the Right Livelihood Award Foundation, said:
“The entire Right Livelihood Award family mourns the loss of the world-renowned legal scholar Justice Christopher Gregory Weeramantry who played a crucial role in strengthening and expanding the rule of international law. His involvement demonstrated how international law could help address global challenges, like the threat of nuclear weapons, human rights protection, and protection of the environment.”
Justice Weeramantry, conferred Sri Lanka’s highest national honour Lankabhimanya in 2008, became a Laureate of the Right Livelihood Award in 2007 “for his lifetime of groundbreaking work to strengthen and expand the rule of international law.”
The Right Livelihood Award Foundation extends its deepest sympathy to Justice C.G Weeramantry’s family, as well as his friends and colleagues all around the world.
For more information, please contact:
Karan Singh, Communications, Asia-Pacific, Right Livelihood Award Foundation,
mobile: +852 6902 5325, e-mail: karan@rightlivelihood.org, www.rightlivelihoodaward.org
