INTERNATIONALLY REPUTED JURIST AND AUTHOR OF 'THE ASSASSINATION OF A PRIME MINISTER',WEERAMANTRY DIES

(By Walter Jayawardhana)

Internationally reputed jurist and author of the famous book , The Assasination of a Prime Minister, Lucien G. Weeramantry died in Colombo and and his funeral took place,August 20 Monday at the General Cemeteray Kanatte, his family announced.
Lucien G. Weeramantry appeared for the assassin , Somarama, in the famous S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike assasination trial and wrote the book Assasination of a Prime Minister, which was published in Switzerland.
It was a long and tiring case for Weeramantry, but Somarama had little money to pay his lawyer, it was later revealed. But as a firm believer in the rule of law he thought that every accused is innocent until he is proven guilty.
But later in his book Weeramantry said that Somarama and Buddharakkhitha were the true culprits of the assasination and wiped away the then widespread rumors that others were the culprits and Somarama and Buddharakkhitha were framed for Ossie Corea and other unknown conspirators.
But a grateful assassin, Somarama, turned to Weeramantry at the end of the trial at bar and said, 'I thank my counsel who defended me at this trial like a true lion.'
Lucien is the brother of another internationally reputed jurist and Sri Lankan patriot Christopher Weeramantry and who became a judge of the International Court of Justice.
Besides Christopher, Lucien left behind, his wife Doreen (Bubsy), son Sunil, and daughters Ayoma and Iromie and brother Douglas.
Lucien wrote many treatise on law including 'The International Commission of Jurists: The Pioneering Years.'
This volume presents a survey of the early history and activities of the International Commission of Jurists, highlighting its achievements in defining, developing and promoting the rule of law. It aims to make readers aware of the Commission's role in the evolution of the rule of law concept.
The work also covers the many initiatives taken by the Commission either by itself or in collaboration with the United Nations and other international organizations to ensure better recognition of and respect for the rule of law and human rights. Reference is made in this connection to different initiatives of national sections both at the regional and national level.
It deals with the principles identified by the Commission as underlying the rule of law and the institutions and procedure necessary to safeguard those principles