MR LAHIRU JAYAMANNE

Biography

Lahiru is a doctoral researcher specialising in lethal autonomous weapons under the Rome Statute from a prosecutorial perspective. After completing a degree from the University of London, he practiced commercial and corporate litigation before transitioning into criminal prosecution as a State Prosecutor for the Government of Sri Lanka. This career shift, supported by a Master’s degree in Commercial and Corporate Law from the University of London, led him to pursue a second Master’s degree at the University of Aberdeen, specialising in Criminal Justice and Human Rights, which allowed him to deepen his understanding of international criminal law.

Throughout his career, Lahiru has worked across multiple High Court jurisdictions in Sri Lanka, advising law enforcement agencies and handling high-profile criminal cases. Notable experiences include securing a unanimous verdict in a jury trial for murder, representing the State in the Colombo Prison massacre trial, and acting as indicting counsel in significant narcotics and environmental disaster cases, including the MV X-Press Pearl marine disaster, the largest chemical spill recorded to date.

His current doctoral research focuses on the challenge of establishing mens rea in the prosecution of lethal autonomous weapons under the Rome Statute. By combining his prosecutorial experience with academic research, Lahiru aims to contribute to international efforts to regulate the use of emerging technologies in warfare.

Prizes and Awards

Recipient of the University of Aberdeen Law PhD Merit scholarship.