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You are here: OUSL / Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences / Dept. of Legal Studies

Dr. Raja Goonaratne

LL.B (Hons) Colombo, LL.M (Monash), PGD in Forensic Medicines, PhD (KLN),Attorney at-Law, Notary Public, Commissioner for Oaths and Registered Company Secretary

Senior Lecturer (Gr.I)

Legal Studies
  • Office: 112881230, Ext: 230
  • CRC, 2nd Floor, HSS Building,Room
  • rdarmasirie@gmail.com

First Degree- Faculty of Law-University of Colombo- from 1985-1992 (Universities were closed across the country due to emergency from 1987-89)
Took Oaths as Legal Professional- Attorney at Law, having completed the Bar Examination at the Sri Lanka Law College in 1994
Postgraduate. Diploma in Forensic Medicine and Science- Faculty of Medicines, University of Colombo -1999
Completed Masters Studies in Law at Monash University Australia from 2001-2003
Completed Doctoral Studies at Kalaniya University Sri Lanka in 2023.

Legal History and Indigenous Laws
Law of Contract
Law of Contract
International Humanitarian Law
International Humanitarian Law
Jurisprudence- Buddhist Jurisprudence and Buddhist Ecclesiastical Law

Indigenous Legal Heritage, Buddhist Jurisprudence and Buddhist Ecclesiastical Law

Course Coordination- Criminal Law – LL.B (Hons) Program
Teaching in both English and Sinhalese languages the following subjects; Land Law, Criminal Law, Commercial Law, Jurisprudence, Legal System and Legal History

  • Raja Goonaratne, Criminal Law–(Sinhala),2022, 2nd Ed, Stamford Lake Publishers Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 978-955-658-491-2
  • Raja Goonaratne, Law of Contract  (Sinhala), 2021,   Stamford Lake Publishers Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 978-955-658-490-5
  • Raja Goonaratne, Business Law in Sri Lanka- Part I- (Sinhala), 2009, Author Publication- Printed by Transcend Printers Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 978-955-97487-1-7
  • Raja Goonaratne, Criminal Law– An Introduction to Law and the Basic Principles of Criminal Law, (2009), Author Publication- ISBN- 978-955-97487-02-4. This book is an approved book for school libraries under the license issued by the Ministry of Education 2013  
  • Raja Goonaratne, co-translator of the book titled Reflections by Fidel into Sinhalese language (2011) and published by the Bolivarian Solidarity. ISBN 978-955-0730-00-1
  • Raja Goonaratne, Book-chapter, A critical Analysis of the Proposed Procedure for Making of a New Constitution in Sri Lanka, Professor Upali Vidanapathirana Memorial Volume, Published by the Department of Social Studies, The Open university of Sri Lanka
  • Raja Goonaratne, Criminal Law- Block 1- Sinhala, (1st Edition, Published by the Open University of Sri Lanka 2001)
  • Raja Goonaratne, Criminal Law- Block 1- English, (1st Edition, Published by the Open University of Sri Lanka 2001)
  • Raja Goonaratne and Others, Legal Environment of Business, Block 1 (English), (1st Edition, Published Open University of Sri Lanka 2005)
  • Raja Goonaratne and Others, Glossary of Legal Terms, (1st Edition, Published by the Open University of Sri Lanka 1999)
  • Raja Goonaratne and Others, Understanding Law- (English), (1st Edition, Pbulished by the Open University of Sri Lanka 2001)
  • Raja Goonaratne and Others, Introduction to Laws of Sri Lanka- English, (1st Edition, Published by the Open University of Sri Lanka 2012)
  • Raja Goonaratne, Ūva-Wellassa Liberation Struggle-200th Year Commemoration – A Critical Study on How the Indigenous Laws were Suppressed for Colonial Requirements (1st Edition, Presidential Secretariat and Kelaniya University 2018), pp.191-200

 

  • Raja Goonaratne, Tracing the Modern Concepts of Economic Law in the Ancient Monarchical Governance in Sri Lanka – A Comparative Analysis of selected Modern Trade Legislation with the Epigraphic Evidence, Athens Journal of Law 2025, 12: 1-17 https://doi.org/10.30958/ajl.X-Y-Z
  • Raja Goonaratne, Study of the Allegation of Denial of Humanitarian Assistance – An Analysis of the Charge against Sri Lanka in the OISL Report, KDU Law Journal, Vol. 2, Issue II, 64-82 , September 2024.
  • Raja Goonaratne Tracing the Application of Modern Principles of International Humanitarian Law in the Pre-Christian War between King Duțugamunu and Elāra in Sri Lanka, Athens Journal of Law 2024, 10:1-14 https://doi.org/10.30958/ajl.X-Y-Z
  • Sisira Siribaddana, Buddhika Fernando, Raja Goonaratne– Neurobiological Stress Markers in Tsunami Survivors: A Commentary, Asian Bioethics Review, Sisira Siribaddana, Buddhika Fernando, 2, Issue 2, June 2010.
  • Raja Goonaratne, A Comparative Study of the Vevalketiya Stone Inscription from the Perspectives of Criminal Law of Sri Lanka, (2023), IJHSSM, 3, (Issue 3), pp. 428-443

 

  1. Raja Goonaratne, A Critical Study on the Pesticide Controlling Legal Regime in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Journal of Legal Studies, 01, Issue 01, December 2023
  2. Raja Goonaratne, Law on Arson, Sinhalese Encyclopedia, Vol. 9, pp. 539- 540, 1998-http://encyclopedia.gov.lk/si_encyclopedia/index.php/%E0%B7%83%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%82
  3. Raja Goonaratne, Permanent International Court of Justice, Sinhalese Encyclopedia, Online Publication on 25. 01.2025 http://encyclopedia.gov.lk/si_encyclopedia/index.php/%
  4. Raja Goonaratne, A critical study on the suppression of indigenous laws for colonial needs (Sinhalese), 01, Issue 02, and Issue 03, Kālaya, January and February, 2021
  5. Raja Goonaratne, The political sphere in Sri Lanka from 1978 – Legal Field- 2010, Mahavamsa, 6. 2017-Mahavamsa is the oldest and longest chronology in the world and the most important historical source. It is written in Pāli language. The articles written in other languages are peer-reviewed and then translated into Pāli stanza/ prose style in accordance with tradition.
  6. Raja Goonaratne, Is federal, a trap or solution (Sinhalese), Muragala, –The Gurad-Stone,02. Issue 01, pp.32-36. February 2005
  7. Raja Goonaratne, Futureless Arche Separatism, (Sinhalese), Muragala- The Guard-Stone,02. Issue 02, pp.49-54.March 2005
  8. Raja Goonaratne, Criminal law and Buddhism (Sinhalese) Muragala-The Guard-Stone,02. Issue 03, pp.40-43.April 2005
  9. Raja Goonaratne, Will there be peace after interim government? (Sinhalese) Muragala-The Guard-Stone,01. Issue 07, pp.23-29. September 2005
  10. Raja Goonaratne, Be aware, Mormons have arrived (Sinhalese) Muragala-The Guard-Stone,01. Issue 10, pp.19-24.December 2005
  11. Raja Goonaratne, Tigers and Statehood (Sinhalese) Muragala-The Guard-Stone,03. Issue 03, pp.51-54, April 2006
  12. Raja Goonaratne, Foreign Policy Perspectives: Sri Lanka First-An Appraisal of NGOs’ Rapid Response to Covid-19 and Post-Covid Development Role in Sri Lanka (1st Ed, Publisher-Ambassadors Forum)
  13. Raja Goonaratne, Detection of Murder through Human Bones (Sinhala), Vaidyawaraya, May 1998
  14. Raja Goonaratne, Ragging: an Offence Now, The Open University Bulletin 1999

1. Raja Goonarante, The legality of provision of humanitarian aids in times of armed conflicts under international humanitarian law –A lesson from the Sri Lankan experience- Asia-Pacific Peace Research Association Conference (APPRAC) held from 07-10 March 2024 at University of Vavunia, Sri Lanka

2. Raja Goonarante, An analysis of the war between King Dutugamunu and Elāra from the Perspectives of International humanitarian Law – 23rd International Postgraduate Research Conference (IPRC) -2023 held on 24th November 2023 at University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

3. Raja Goonarante, A study on the theory and practice of international commercial arbitration in ancient Sri Lanka as evinced by Hapitigama Epigraphic Record- A comparative analysis- 3rd International Conference on Sanskrit and Eastern Studies held on 8th November 2018 at University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.

4. Raja Goonarante, A study of Vēvælkatiya slab inscription from the perspectives of penal laws of Sri Lanka – 19th International 1. Raja Goonarante, The legality of provision of humanitarian aids in times of armed conflicts under international humanitarian law –A lesson from the Sri Lankan experience- Asia-Pacific Peace Research Association Conference (APPRAC) held from 07-10 March 2024 at University of Vavunia, Sri Lanka

2. Raja Goonarante, An analysis of the war between King Dutugamunu and Elāra from the Perspectives of International humanitarian Law – 23rd International Postgraduate Research Conference (IPRC) -2023 held on 24th November 2023 at University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

3. Raja Goonarante, A study on the theory and practice of international commercial arbitration in ancient Sri Lanka as evinced by Hapitigama Epigraphic Record- A comparative analysis- 3rd International Conference on Sanskrit and Eastern Studies held on 8th November 2018 at University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.

4. Raja Goonarante, A study of Vēvælkatiya slab inscription from the perspectives of penal laws of Sri Lanka – 19th International Ppostgraduate Research Conference held on 5th December 2018 at University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

5. Raja Goonarante-New trends in the protection of human rights in Sri Lanka : A bird’s eye-view of the existing legal superstructure – 7th Sri Lanka Studies Conference held from 3-6 December 1999 in Canberra, Australia

6. Raja Goonarante, Tracing the modern concepts of economic law in the ancient monarchical governance in Sri Lanka- A comparative analysis of selected modern trade legislation with the epigraphic evidence – 4th South Asian International Economic Law Network (SAIELN) Conference held at the Open University from 16-18 December 2024

7. Raja Goonaratne ‘The law on exemption from criminal liability and grant of immunity to offenders in ancient Sri Lanka- A comparative analysis of selected epigraphic records with contemporary penal laws, (1st Research Colloquium, University of Kelaniya, held on 22nd June 2019

8. Raja Goonaratne, A Study on the Theory and Practice of International Commercial Arbitration in Ancient Sri Lanka as Evinced by Hopitigamu Sel Lipiya- Epigraphic Record- A Comparative Study,
(HSS Faculty Seminar, The Open University of Sri Lanka held on 11th August. 2018)

Supervisor LL.M Thesis – The Open University (Former)

Medico-Legal Association

Open University Teachers’ Association

Contributions to the State Service in Holding Key Executive and Administrative Positions;

  1. National Housing Commissioner, from 2010-2015
  2. Director/Board Member, National Housing Authority, from 2010-2015
  3. Director/Board Member, Housing Development Finance Corporation Bank (HDFC),2010-2015
  4. Chairman- Appeal Board- National Housing Development Authority from 2010-2015
  5. Member- Audit Committee -National Housing Development Authority from 2010-2015
  6. Director General/Registrar of the National Secretariat for Non-governmental Organizations- From April 2020- October 2022
  7. Director/Board Member- Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka- From 2020- 2022
  8. Director/Member of Board of Management- National Police Academy-From 2020 to Present
  9. Board Member of the National Medicines Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka- 2020- 2021
  10. Board Member of the National Police Academy- from 2021-2024
  11. Member- Audit Committee –National Police Academy – from 2021-2024

Contributions to Other Universities and Higher Educational Institutes – Teaching, Dissemination of Knowledge, Curriculum Design and Development, Course Revision etc.

Teaching:

  1. Criminal Law and Business Law, (English), Sir John Kotelawala Defense University, The Open University of Sri Lanka and Sri Jayewardenepura University
  2. Administrative Law (English), Sir John Kotelawala Defense University.
  3. Constitutional Law (English), Sir John Kotelawala Defense University
  4. Criminal Law- Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Sri Jayewardenepura University.
  5. Criminal Law, Law of Evidence, Civil Law – Police Academy, Katana

 

Dissemination of Knowledge in the Society- Key Articles in the National Newspapers –

  1. “Mens-rea and Kamma: A Comparison of Basic Principles of Criminal Law with the Buddha’s Teaching (English) Island, 10, March 1993.
  2. “Is PTOMS Administrative Structure or Political Structure?”  Island (Sinhala)” 7, July 2005.
  3. “A Post- mortem of Victory March and Glancing the Way Forward”, Sunday Observer, 21, June 2009.
  4. “20th Amendment is Cooked- up by West”- Rivira Newspaper, 23.09.2018.
  5. “Can the Parliament Exercise Judicial Powers of the People Directly”, Daily News, 12 October 2012.
  6. “Naked Foreign Intervention into Sri Lanka’s Domestic Affairs”- Daily Mirror, 22.11.2018.
  7. “Our Political Crisis Is Not an International Crisis”- Daily News, (Sinhala) 22.11. 2018.
  8. “There is An International Conspiracy to Bring Back Ousted Leaders into Power”- Maubima Newspaper 01.11. 2018.
  9. “No Court Has Power to Question the Decision of the President” – Maubima Newspaper, 06.11.2018.
  10. “No Confidence Motion Brought by Speaker Illegal and Cannot be Accepted” –Lankadeepa Newspaper, 19.11.2018.
  11. ” Be Aware; Agents Trained in the Art of Deception Will Come to the Front this Time Too”- Sunday Island (Sinhala) on 17th November 2019.
  12. “Law Does Not Compel To Do What Is Impossible To Do” (Sinhala)- on 20th May 2020 at Aruna
  13. An analysis of 20th Amendment- Vissa Vinivida Dakeema (Sinhala)-Lankadeepa, 17th September 2020

Production of Educational Audio-Video Material, Design and Development of Curriculum for Degree Programs and  Courses

  1. I directed and produced a comprehensive educational film (docudrama) titled “The Flower that Withered Untimely – අකලට මිලින කුසුම” based on the true story that shocked the entire nation in 1998.
  2. Member of Course Team in planning and developing curriculum and the course book MCU2204-Legal Environment of Business for Bachelor of Management Studies Degree program in 2005
  3. Member of Course Team in planning and developing curriculum and the course Book LLU3261-Understanding Law for  Sc. Degree Program  in  2001
  4. Member of Course Team in planning and developing curriculum and the Course Book LWJ3160-Introduction to Laws – Diploma in Technology- for Faculty of Engineering Technology in  2001
  5. Member of Course Team in planning and developing the curriculum and the Course Book LWU1160-Understanding Law for Bachelor of Science Degree Program in  2001
  6. Head of the Curriculum Design and Development Committee of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of University of Sri Jayewardenepura University, to design and develop a New Law Degree Program from 2018-2022

 

 

World Bank Justice Reform Project Award to pursue postgraduate studies at Monash
University, Australia in 2001

Life Member- Bar Association of Sri Lanka
International General Member- Bangladesh Bioethics Association.

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PO Box 21, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Nugegoda.
Email: pio@ou.ac.lk
Phone: +94 11 288 1000