Hon’ble Justice Surya Kant, Judge of the Supreme Court of India, delivered the Keynote Address at the Inauguration Ceremony of the 29th National Law Conference, organised by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, in Kandy on October 24, 2025.
The event was graced by His Excellency Hon’ble Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of the Republic of Sri Lanka, Mr. Harshana Nanayakkara, Minister of Justice and National Integration, and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Padman Surasena, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, along with other distinguished members of the Bench, the Bar, and academia.
Justice Surya Kant, in his keynote address titled “Technology in the Aid of the Legal Profession : A Global Perspective,” reflected on the transformative role of technology in redefining legal practice and access to justice. Commending the Bar Association of Sri Lanka for its exemplary organisation, he noted that the city of Kandy where tradition and modernity coexist was a fitting venue to discuss how technology could serve as a partner and guide in the delivery of justice.
Highlighting the inevitability of change, Justice Surya Kant remarked that technology should be viewed not as a replacement for human judgment, but as an enabler that amplifies the precision, efficiency, and inclusiveness of justice delivery. Drawing from India’s recent technological strides such as e-filing, virtual hearings, digital case management, AI-enabled transcription, and the e-Supreme Court Reports (e-SCR) portal, he emphasised that digital reforms must always preserve the human touch that defines the legal vocation.
Justice Surya Kant observed that while data may inform decisions, it must never dictate them. He underlined the importance of trust, accuracy, and ethical use of AI tools, stressing that “technology may illuminate the path, but it is humanity that must lead the way.”
Justice Kant further called for greater regional cooperation between India, Sri Lanka, and other South Asian nations to promote shared learning in legal technology. He proposed collaboration in developing open-source legal tools, harmonising digital standards, and integrating legal technology into legal education and judicial training.
In conclusion, Justice Surya Kant urged the legal fraternity to embrace innovation while remaining anchored in fairness, empathy, and accountability. He expressed hope that the conference would strengthen collective resolve to ensure technology serves as a force for greater transparency, efficiency, and human dignity in the justice system.
The session was attended by senior judges, members of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, academicians, and representatives from regional legal institutions.