News from the ACWL
Sri Lanka joins the ACWL
The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is the 28th developing country Member of the WTO that has decided to accede to the ACWL.
On 27 August 2008, the General Assembly of the ACWL approved Sri Lanka’s request to accede to the ACWL. On 22 October 2008, Ambassador Magedaragamage, accompanied by Ms Ruwanthi Ariyaratne, Second Secretary at Sri Lanka's mission in Geneva, signed Sri Lanka's protocol of accession at the ACWL’s premises in the presence of Mr. Frieder Roessler, Executive Director of the ACWL and his deputy, Mr. Leo Palma.
Sri Lanka will be entitled to the legal services of the ACWL as from 21 November 2008, when the protocol of accession enters into effect.
The 45 LDCs that are Members of the WTO or in the process of acceding to the WTO are entitled to the services of the ACWL without having to become Members of the ACWL. Following Sri Lanka’s accession there will consequently be 73 countries that may turn to the ACWL for advice on WTO law, support in WTO dispute settlement proceedings and legal training.