Dr M S Mohamed Hussain, PC awarded Doctor of Philosophy

President’s Counsel Dr M S Mohamed Hussain completed a Degree in Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the field of ‘Access to Justice by a Third Party in the Interest of Marginalised Community in Sri Lanka’ and, was awarded Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by the Sabaragamuwa University. This is a law research and building a theory for constructive interpretation of the Constitution of Sri Lanka in the area of access to justice on violation of rights including fundamental rights.

Dr Mohammed Hussain obtained his Master in Laws degree in 1998 from the University of Colombo on public law. He took oaths as an Attorney-at-Law of the Supreme Court in 1978, since when he commenced his practice mainly in courts of civil as well as criminal jurisdiction in Kandy. Later he began his practice as a counsel in Kandy and the suburbs in lower courts, as well as in the superior courts in Colombo. He was conferred Silk and was sworn in as President’s Counsel in January 2019.

He served as a member of panels of lawyers of many statutory bodies, and as Chairman of the Agrarian Boards of Review for the Central Province and North-Western Province. He served as a member of the editorial board of the Legal Information Network (LAWNET) under the Legal and Judicial Reforms Project of the Ministry of Justice.

In 2001 he published 22 volumes of his monumental work called Hussain’s Complete Digest of Case Law of Sri Lanka (1820–2000), and thereafter 4 volumes of the Supplement from 2000 to 2008. He also published, Consolidated Digest of the Law Reports (1978 -1990), The Law Relating to Provincial Councils (in Sinhala) and Alphabetical Index to the Legislative Enactments of Sri Lanka (1799 - December 2000).

He has written several articles to law journals titled, “Theories of Constitutional Interpretation: An argument for the constitution-making process”; “Donation under Muslim Law: A critical analysis on its application under the present context”; “Persona Standi in Judcio and the Constitution of Sri Lanka”; “Community Studies - An analysis in the identification of the marginalised communities, and the need for equitable treatment”.

He had his early education in Danthura Maha Vidyalaya and St Sylvester’s College, Kandy. He is a younger son of late Mr and Mrs Sheriffdeen.