ALSINC 2025: Five Years of Excellence in International Negotiation

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Media | Published on 2025-12-15

The Law School of Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology (APIIT) Sri Lanka is a leading institution for legal education in Sri Lanka, known for its unwavering commitment to academic excellence, scholarly ambition, innovation, and research. It is a premier seat of learning offering prestigious LL.B (Hons) and LL.M degree programmes awarded by University of Staffordshire, UK.

As the pioneers of Sri Lanka's first and only international negotiation competition and one of the world's leading competitions on the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) – APIIT Law School proudly hosted the 5th Edition of the APIIT Law School International Negotiation Competition 2025. Five years, one legacy.

Organised annually by the Moot, Debate, and Mock Mediation Society (MDMMS) of APIIT Law School, Colombo, ALSINC stands as a hallmark initiative, designed to deepen students' understanding and appreciation of ADR in both local and global contexts. At the helm of ALSINC 2025 is Chairperson Aadhilah Ramzy – the President of the Moot, Debate and Mock Mediation Society (MDMMS) of APIIT Law School Colombo, with a distinguished track record in both national and international mediation & negotiation competitions.

Capitalising on the successes of prior years, ALSINC 2025 was conducted in a hybrid format, blending on-site and online participation. The competition brought together a dynamic mix of participants – both international and local – showcasing exceptional negotiation skills.

This year's edition attracted a total of 26 teams and Assessors; with 20 international teams and 6 renowned International Expert Assessors from countries such as the UK, USA, Singapore, Australia, Kenya, Nigeria, Netherlands, India, Austria, and Sri Lanka. With 20 international teams competing alongside Sri Lankan teams, the event blossomed into a vibrant celebration of cultures – blending unique negotiation styles with warm camaraderie, joyful celebrations, and the artistry of global connection.

This year, ALSINC 2025 was privileged to collaborate with a distinguished panel of Educational and Knowledge Partners; whose gracious support greatly enriched the competition. The Institute for the Development of Commercial Law and Practice (ICLP) – Sri Lanka, and the Wagger Negotiation Institute (WNI) – Norway, partnered with us as our Educational Partners, while the International Mediation Campus (IMC) – United Kingdom, and UDecide Mediation – Sri Lanka, served as our Knowledge Partners. Their invaluable collaboration elevated both the academic depth and professional excellence of the event, ensuring participants benefitted from word-class insights.

The Opening Ceremony was graced by President's Counsel Mr. Harsha Fernando, a legal professional and a thought leader with over 27 years of experience spanning government, corporate, education, law enforcement, and justice sectors. A key feature of the Opening Ceremony of ALSINC 2025 was a thought-provoking panel discussion on the impact of Game Theory and Human Behaviour on Negotiations followed by a fascinating Q&A session, led by ALSINC 2025 Co-Chairperson Ms. Keshiny Sritharan, and enriched by the insights of two renowned legal luminaries: Dr. Apoorva Dixit from India and Mr. Ian Rigden from United Kingdom. Ahead of the main event, participants also benefitted from an interactive Negotiation Masterclass Workshop titled "The Importance of Relationships in Negotiation" conducted by distinguished expert Mr. Roar Thun Wagger, Founder & Director of the Wagger Negotiation Institute from Norway, which prepared the students with practical skills for the intense rounds that followed.

This year, the Champions Title was claimed by the Royal Institute of Colombo – Team A, with the Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University, Vishakhapatnam – Team A emerging as the Runners-Up and the National University of Singapore – Team A securing the position of 2nd Runners-Up, respectively. The grand final was graced by the presence of an eminent panel of expert assessors: Hon. Justice A.H.M.D. Nawaz – Former President of the Court of Appeal, now a Justice of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, and recipient of the Fulbright Humphrey Fellowship from the Government of the United States; Mr. Patrick McPhilamy – an accomplished lawyer, a mediator, and arbitrator dedicated to advancing human rights, direct democracy, and the rule of law; and Mr. Ian Rigden – Director of the International Mediation Campus and a member, facilitator and mentor for the Centre of Competence for Humanitarian Negotiation (CCHN).

During the Closing Ceremony held after the Grand Final, in addition to the championship titles, a series of special awards – including the UDECIDE Best Opening Statement, WNI Best Negotiation Strategy, Best Teamwork Between Client and Counsel, Best Acknowledgment of Cultural Differences, ICLP Best Creative Solution Generation, Best Debutant Team, and the IMC Spirit of the Competition – were presented to recognise exceptional skills, spirit, and outstanding performances throughout the competition.

Subsequently, ALSINC 2025 drew to a close in the most splendid way possible: a special dinner dance served as an amazing sendoff to all the expert assessors and participants.

APIIT Law School continues to demonstrate its commitment to delivering world-class legal education and providing a platform for young legal leaders to shine on the international stage.