The Olive Branch Company

Mediation in Kandana, Western

Professional mediation services in Kandana. We work remotely with clients across the city and region, providing expert guidance for conflict resolution with clarity, compassion and integrity.

The Olive Branch in Kandana

The Olive Branch provides professional mediation services to clients in Kandana and throughout Western in a region home to approximately 33 thousand . Our experienced mediators work remotely to help you resolve disputes efficiently and effectively, saving you time, money, and relationships.

Whether you're dealing with commercial conflicts, family matters, or workplace disputes, we offer a neutral, confidential space where all parties can speak freely and work toward mutually beneficial solutions. Our approach is grounded in real-world experience and a deep understanding of the challenges businesses and individuals face.

We understand that every dispute is unique. That's why we tailor our mediation process to your specific circumstances, ensuring that the resolution you reach is practical, lasting, and fair to everyone involved.

Sri Lanka

Legal Framework

Mediation in Sri Lanka follows the Mediation Boards Act No. 72 of 1988, which provides for the establishment of Mediation Boards and the Mediation Boards Commission. The Act empowers the Commission to appoint, transfer, dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over Mediators; supervise and control their performance; and issue necessary directions. The Commercial Mediation Centre of Sri Lanka (CMCSL) was established under the Commercial Mediation Centre of Sri Lanka Act (No. 44 of 2000), launched on September 12th, 2000, and is statutorily mandated to promote the wider acceptance of mediation and conciliation for the resolution and settlement of commercial disputes. Arbitration follows the Arbitration Act of Sri Lanka, which applies to all arbitration proceedings commenced in Sri Lanka after the appointed date. The Arbitration Act incorporates the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards of 1958 (New York Convention). Sri Lanka has a history of mediation dating back to ancient kingdoms where adults and monks acted as mediators and carried out community mediation at village councils, but mediation was legally introduced in 1988 through the Mediation Boards Act.

Court System

The Mediation Boards Commission has policy and administrative support from the Ministry of Justice. Where a Panel has been appointed for a Mediation Board area, no proceeding in respect of any dispute arising wholly or partly within that area or an offence alleged to have been committed within that area shall be instituted in or entertained by any court of first instance without a certificate of non-settlement from the Mediation Board. This creates a mandatory mediation step before court proceedings for certain disputes within designated areas. The jurisdiction of Mediation Boards covers disputes arising wholly or partly within Mediation Board areas and offences specified in the Second Schedule to the Act. Applications cannot be entertained if one of the disputants is the state, a public officer acting in official capacity where the dispute relates to recovery of property, money or dues, or the Attorney-General where proceedings are instituted by the Attorney General. For arbitration, where a party to an arbitration agreement institutes legal proceedings in a court against another party in respect of a matter agreed to be submitted for arbitration, the Court shall have no jurisdiction to hear and determine such matter if the other party objects to the court exercising jurisdiction.

Mediator Regulations

The Mediation Boards Commission is responsible for appointing, transferring, dismissing and exercising disciplinary control over Mediators. The Commission supervises and controls the performance and discharge by Mediators of their duties and functions under the Act and issues necessary directions. Persons eligible for appointment to any Panel of Mediators include: (a) any person resident in a Mediation Board area or engaged in any work in that area; (b) any person resident or engaged in work outside such area if the Commission decides in exceptional circumstances; and (c) any public officer nominated by the Government Agent of the administrative district within which such Mediation Board area is situated. Within a 30-year span, Sri Lanka has equipped the nation with 329 Community Mediation Boards with over 8,500 active volunteer Mediators across the country. The Commercial Mediation Centre of Sri Lanka has a Board with members nominated by various organisations including the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka, the Ceylon National Chamber of Industries, and the Minister in charge of the subject of Justice. Board members serve three-year terms and are eligible for reappointment.

Cultural Approach

Sri Lanka has a long history of mediation dating back to ancient kingdoms where adults and monks acted as mediators and carried out community mediation at village councils. This cultural tradition of community-based dispute resolution continues through the modern Mediation Boards system. The approach emphasises community mediation as an effective and scalable low-cost justice solution. The mediation process empowers parties to resolve disputes by negotiating concrete and mutually satisfactory agreements with the help and guidance of skilled mediators. The presence of over 8,500 active volunteer mediators across 329 Community Mediation Boards indicates strong community participation and cultural acceptance of mediation. The system addresses land issues, family disagreements, financial disputes and minor offences, reflecting a holistic approach to community conflict resolution that respects traditional values while operating within a modern legal framework.

Typical Costs

Community mediation through Mediation Boards is designed as a low-cost justice solution. Every application to a Mediation Board must be accompanied by a document evidencing the fact that the prescribed fee has been paid in the prescribed manner. Specific fee amounts are not detailed in available sources. The Commercial Mediation Centre of Sri Lanka operates with its own Fund, which receives sums voted by Parliament, sums received in the exercise of its powers and functions, and loans, donations, gifts or grants from local or foreign sources. The Centre's accounts are audited under Article 154 of the Constitution. The emphasis on community mediation as a low-cost justice solution suggests accessibility and affordability for users. No specific hourly or daily rates for private mediation are documented in available sources.

Western

State Laws

Sri Lanka operates under a national legal framework for mediation rather than province-specific laws. The Mediation Boards Act established the Mediation Boards Commission which oversees mediation nationwide. The Mediation Boards Commission with policy and administrative support from the Ministry of Justice leads the mediation programmeme in Sri Lanka. The system includes community mediation boards and special mediation boards. Western Province implements the national framework through the Mediation Boards Commission structure. There are no province-specific mediation laws as the system is nationally standardised.

Licensing Requirements

The Mediation Boards Commission oversees the appointment and training of mediators. Mediators are selected from panel members and undergo training through the commission. The system maintains a panel of qualified mediators. There is no private licensing system as mediation is primarily state-administered through the Mediation Boards Commission. Training programmemes ensure mediators have the necessary skills. The commission maintains quality control over the mediation process. Professional standards are set nationally rather than at provincial level.

Local Court Systems

Western Province has the Western Province High Court, District Courts, and Magistrate's Courts. Colombo, the national capital and commercial hub, has the most developed court infrastructure. The Mediation Boards Commission operates community mediation boards throughout the province. Courts in Western Province can refer matters to mediation boards. The judicial system works in coordination with the mediation programmeme. Western Province has relatively well developed court and mediation infrastructure compared to other provinces.

State Sources

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Country Sources

Continue your search for resolution

Every dispute is personal and complex. We are here to provide the neutral space and expert guidance you need to find a lasting resolution in Kandana.

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