In the United Kingdom and in some Commonwealth countries, a King's Counsel during the reign of a king, or Queen's Counsel during the reign of a queen, is a lawyer who is typically a senior trial lawyer. Technically appointed by the monarch of the country to be one of 'His [Her] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law', the position originated in England and Wales. Some Commonwealth countries have either abolished the position, or renamed it so as to remove monarchical connotations, for example, 'Senior counsel' or 'Senior Advocate'.
The title of Senior Counsel or State Counsel is given to a senior lawyer in some countries that were formerly part of the British Empire. "Senior Counsel" is used in current or former Commonwealth countries or jurisdictions that have chosen to change the title "King's Counsel" to a name without monarchical connotations, usually related to the British monarch that is no longer head of state, such that reference to the King is no longer appropriate. Examples of jurisdictions which have made the change because of the latter reason include Mauritius, Zambia, India, Hong Kong, Ireland, South Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Singapore, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. Jurisdictions which have retained the monarch as head of state, but have nonetheless opted for the new title include some states and territories of Australia, as well as Belize.
Deshamanya is the second-highest national honour of Sri Lanka awarded by the Government of Sri Lanka as a civil honour. It is awarded for "highly meritorious service", and is conventionally used as a title or prefix to the recipient's name.
Sir George Desmond Lorenz de Silva, was a British criminal law barrister and international lawyer who served as the United Nations Chief War Crimes Prosecutor in Sierra Leone.
A. W. H. Abeyesundere, QC was a Sri Lankan lawyer, independence activist, former acting Attorney General of Sri Lanka and judge of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka.
Don Richard Wijewardena was a Sri Lankan press baron who was involved in the Sri Lankan independence movement. A successful entrepreneur, he established Lake House newspapers and played a significant role in the independence movement.
Deshamanya Hector Wilfred "Harry" Jayewardene, QC was a prominent Sri Lankan lawyer. In 1979 he was chairman of a UNESCO conference on human rights in Bangkok and later chairman of the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute. He was member at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
Herbert Sri Nissanka, QC was a Ceylonese lawyer and legislator. Elected to the first post-independence parliament, he was one of the founding members of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.
Kairshasp Nariman Choksy, PC, MP was a Sri Lankan lawyer, politician and a former member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. He was Cabinet Minister of Finance under Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe. He had also served as Cabinet Minister of Constitutional & State Affairs from 1993 to 1994 under President D. B. Wijetunga and was a member of parliament from 1989 to 2010 continuiosly.
Robert Rasiah Crossette-Thambiah was a leading Ceylon Tamil lawyer and Solicitor General.
Sir Ukwatte Acharige Jayasundera was a prominent Ceylonese criminal lawyer and politician.
Deshamanya Justice Victor Tennekoon QC was a Sri Lankan lawyer and jurist. He served as the 35th Chief Justice of Sri Lanka, as well as the 33rd Attorney General and 23rd Solicitor General. From 1979 to 1984 Tennekoon served as Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya.
Hema Henry Basnayake, QC was the 31st Chief Justice of Ceylon as well as the 29th Attorney General and 16th Solicitor General. He was appointed in 1956 succeeding acting Chellappah Nagalingam and was Chief Justice until 1964.
Edward Frederick Noel Gratiaen, was a Ceylonese lawyer and judge. He was a former Attorney General of Ceylon and Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court of Ceylon.
S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike, the fourth Prime Minister of Ceylon, was assassinated by the Buddhist priest Talduwe Somarama Thero on September 25, 1959, while meeting the public at his private residence, Tintagel, at Rosmead Place in Colombo. Shot in the chest, abdomen and hand, Bandaranaike died the following day at Merchant's Ward of the Colombo General Hospital. He was the first Sri Lankan national leader to be assassinated, which led to his widow Sirima Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike becoming the world's first female Prime Minister.
E.P. Paul Perera, PC (1929–2007) was a Sri Lankan lawyer and politician. He was a Minister of Science and Technology, Deputy Minister of Justice and a member of parliament.
The Wijewardene family is a Sri Lankan family that is prominent in enterprise and politics. Along with many members who have been successful politician across generations, the family includes two Chief Justices, two Prime Ministers and two Presidents of Sri Lanka. In 2000 The siblings went to multiple different countries such as USA, UAE, U.K, New Zealand & Etc. The family decided to establish the main headquarters in Christchurch, New Zealand. The Ownership went to the Oldest Brothers son Aakash Wijewardene in 15/11/2021. The family currently owns an estimated 40 companies worth around $2.1 Billion
George Edmund Chitty, QC was Ceylonese lawyer. He led the prosecution against the appeal by the three convicted individuals in the Bandaranaike assassination case.
