SPECIALIST PRACTICE ENTERTAINMENT LAW AND MEDIA LAW : Chanakya is a renowned Expert Attorney and one of the few Entertainment and Media Lawyers in South Asia. His work involves advising and consulting Entertainment and Media Transactions, Artists, Institutions, Providing Appropriate Dispute Resolution and Litigation, Negotiation and execution of Contracts, Protection and Clearance of IP rights. He is among the few Expert Lawyers in Entertainment and Media Law in Asia and has written the only book in South Asia in International
Entertainment Law & New Media Law
GENERAL PRACTICE IN CIVIL AND COMMERCIAL: Chanakya is also an experienced Civil and a Commercial Law Attorney.His general practice spans in many Civil and Commercial Law areas such as on Intellectual Property Law, Contracts Law, Company Law, Labor Law, Family Law, Investment Law in Advising and Consulting on the law; Negotiation of Contracts and Agreements; and representing parties in Appropriate Dispute Resolution forums including
Litigation in original Courts, Appellate and Supreme Courts, as well as in Alternate Dispute Resolutions.
MAJOR PUBLICATIONS In his career Chanakya authored important articles and books despite an
extraneously busy schedule
(a) In 2013 published the first book on law titled Entertainment & Broadcasting Law for Sri Lanka was published by Stamford Lake Bookshop. ISBN 9789556583472
(b) In 2019 second book on law International Entertainment Law and New Media Law was also published by Stamford Lake Bookshop on hardback. This is the only such. book in Asia ISBN 9789556584851 AWARD AND ACCOLADES Chanakya received several awards and accolades in his career (a) In 1997 soon after he passed out he was awarded the Justice Fernando Memorial Prize for legal research done and submitted on Suggestions to amend the Companies Act of Sri Lanka.
(b) He also received a World Bank Scholarship under Legal & Judicial Reforms Project (LJRP) training on Commercial Law at the City University Hong Kong. April 2002. In this course specialized on International Trade Law.
(c) In 2012 he was chosen by US STATE DEPARTMENT to participate in special fellowship on Television Broadcast journalism in the United States under International Leadership Visitors Program (ILVP).
(d) Three times nominated as Best Television Presenter (English) at Raigam Television Awards (e) Won the Best Television Presenter of the Year 2021 award at the Raigam Tele’ess Award LAW DRAFTING, LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS AND INTRODUCTION OF NEW LAWS
(a) In 1997 soon after he passed out he was awarded the Justice Fernando Memorial Prize for legal research done and submitted on Suggestions to amend the Companies Act of Sri Lanka
(b) Retained by Western Region Megapolis Planning Project to draft new legislation to create the Megapolis Development Authority Act, I single handed drafted the 1 Megalopolis Authority Act for Western Region Megapolis planning project (2015).
(c) As Legal Consultant and Expert to the Quarantine Unit of the Health System Enhancement Project of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services Sri Lanka to restructure and amend the entire Quarantine Law of Sri Lanka. An
Asian Development Bank project (2020)
(d) Appointed by the Hon. Minister of Justice as member of Advisory Committee on Media Regulations and Privacy Laws of the Ministry of Justice Sri Lanka (2021)
(e) Appointed by the Hon. Minister of Justice as member of Advisory Committee on E commerce law Reforms of the Ministry of Justice Sri Lanka (2021)
(f) Appointed as Legal Advisory Member to Parliamentary Oversight committee to Introduce Patients Rights Law to Sri Lanka
GIVE BACK: Chanakya also feels strongly about give back to society. His works in community activities spans from his college days. To name a few and landmark activities would be offering his serves as an Advisor on Legal and other issues and a honorary member of Foundation for Law and Justice in Sri Lanka-Foundation protecting rights of the people.
He also participate and contributes Legal Aid clinic to the poor and needy is another. With the Rotaract Club was involved in many activities such as collection of funds to rehabilitation of Makole juvenile home, and providing medication to the needy under the master Polio plus program of the Rotary International. In 2016 he started his new charity titled Health Hero. The initial project was a fund raising walk to raise funds to renovate the hospices of Sri Lanka Cancer Society where terminally ill cancer patients are taken who can’t afford to look after themselves are taken careof. This project is on process now.
BROADCASTING- TELEVISION:
Chanakya has won the Best Television Presenter of the Year 2021 award at the Raigam Tele’ess Award. He started as a Television Presenter at the Started Television Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (State TV) as News Anchor in 2009. He has Anchored sports and main English News. He conducts many interviews on special events, personalities, current
affairs for Channel Eye as and when required. Some notable achievements in his 5 year career; In the 2010 Presidential Election – hosted Live Election Analysis for a record breaking 8 hours. Presented an analytical view on the Elections day and its aftermath.
Created The Back Story of Royal Wedding as a tribute to Prince Williams Wedding (2011). In May Day 2011 Co-Presented a Critical Analysis of the Mayday 2011.Co-presented in English first ever Bi lingual Sri Lankan talk show M-9.30 (English and Tamil) (2012). Hosted the Continuing Coverage 23rd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in
Colombo Sri Lanka 2013 (CHOGM),Interviewed Key guests on the common wealth (2013).
Started Cross Current first current affairs show in English on Sri Lankan Television. Hosted Presidential Elections 2015, continuing coverage and live analysis program. All programs were done in English language. He conceptualised created and hosting his Sri Lankans first ever Law and Rights Television Awareness Program called Law and Order for 3 years & over 100 episodes. Hosts the signature International Diplomats talk show called Diplomatic Faces.
Hosted several social media interviews on Youtube with experts an how to cope Covid 19 (2020) 2