Launch of the ‘Know Your Neethi’ Campaign: Championing Legal Literacy in Sri Lanka

Launch of the ‘Know Your Neethi’ Campaign: Championing Legal Literacy in Sri Lanka
The Support to Justice Sector (JURE) Project aims to bolster legal awareness through the ‘Know Your Neethi’ campaign

Colombo, Sri Lanka, 18 June 2025: A new public initiative titled ‘Know Your Neethi’ (i.e. Know Your Laws) campaign was formally launched today, bringing together national leadership and international partners in a unified effort to make legal knowledge accessible to all Sri Lankans. The launch was attended by Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Minister of Justice; H.E. Carmen Moreno, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Sri Lanka and the Maldives; and Ms. Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka, along with key officials from institutions and partners in the field.

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The campaign seeks to demystify the law and promote legal literacy primarily in local languages on issues that affect everyday life, covering key issues including anti-corruption, domestic violence, employment rights, environmental protection, computer crimes, and drug-related offences.

A 2022 study in Sri Lanka’s Rathnapura Police Division revealed that low legal literacy had contributed to 65% of participants becoming victims of crimes, and 85% facing difficulties within the criminal justice system. A lack of legal knowledge was also a contributing factor among 90% of study participants who had engaged in criminal activities.

Speaking on the timeliness of such a campaign, Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Minister of Justice noted, “In a world shaped by rapid technological advances, environmental challenges, and shifting social norms, it is our duty to ensure that people are enabled to seek protection of the law with confidence and clarity. Know Your Neethi’s goal is to reaffirm our commitment to develop a justice system that is inclusive, participatory, and transparent.”

This initiative is a part of the Support to Justice Sector Project (JURE), funded by the European Union, jointly implemented by UNDP and UNICEF Sri Lanka, and facilitated by the Ministry of Justice. It builds on the extensive efforts of the JURE project towards enhancing access to justice across Sri Lanka and its proven impact – in 2024 alone, over 40,000 individuals received legal aid and participated in legal awareness sessions supported by the project.

Commenting on the initiative, H.E. Carmen Moreno, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Sri Lanka and the Maldives stated, “The law must not only protect—it must empower individuals. And that empowerment begins with knowledge. Informed citizens are more likely to participate in public dialogue, contribute to legal reforms, and hold those in power to account. A legal culture based on transparency and participation makes justice more effective for everyone”.

The ‘Know Your Neethi’ campaign is centred on a dynamic hub of legal literacy, where viewers can access short films, expert interviews, and explainer videos in Sinhala and Tamil. Hosted across YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, the campaign channel offers simplified, engaging content designed to make legal information accessible, relatable, and actionable.

More than a digital campaign, ‘Know Your Neethi’ will also extend its reach into communities. A two-day legal awareness camp is scheduled to take place starting with Badulla later this year, providing vulnerable communities in the area with vital access to legal education, legal aid clinics, and opportunities to engage directly with legal institutions.

Highlighting UNDP’s role, Ms. Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka commented, “This campaign is about more than information – it’s about empowerment and making sure that every person in Sri Lanka has the confidence to say that they understand their rights – their ‘neethi’. UNDP together with the project partners are proud to bring together experts from the legal landscape to empower people to understand their rights, while contributing to a more just, resilient, and inclusive society.”

‘Know Your Neethi’ emerges from this urgent context with a powerful message: legal knowledge is not a luxury; it is a tool for prevention, protection, and justice. By making legal information accessible and understandable, the campaign aspires to build a society where every person knows their rights, understands their responsibilities, and has the means to seek justice.

To know more about the campaign, follow @knowyourneethi on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

About JURE:
The Support to Justice Sector Project (JURE), is funded by the European Union and jointly implemented by UNDP and UNICEF Sri Lanka, facilitated by the Ministry of Justice. JURE takes a three-pronged approach to building a modern, efficient, and inclusive justice sector focused on accountability, transparency, efficiency and quality. Falling under UNDP’s flagship portfolio, JURE contains a holistic package of support to the justice sector in Sri Lanka and is being implemented in close consultation and partnership with key justice sector institutions and stakeholders.

About UNDP:
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.

Learn more at www.undp.org/srilanka or follow us at @UNDPSriLanka