The Scales and the Symphony: Ronali Lokubalasuriya’s Journey of Justice & Joy
The corridors of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka are steeped in history, discipline, and the solemn weight of justice. To stand there as an Attorney-at-law is not merely to practice a profession but to shoulder the responsibility of giving voice to those who might otherwise never be heard. For Ronali Lokubalasuriya, reaching this milestone was more than the fulfillment of personal ambition; it was the continuation of a dream first held by her mother.
Her mother, a dynamic businesswoman and marketeer, once longed to walk the path of law. Though her career took another direction, her ultimate desire never faded. Ronali, in honoring that vision, chose to make it reality. “What began as my mother’s dream became my own calling,” she reflects. “I discovered resilience, faith, and the deep belief that God places us exactly where we are meant to be.”
Beyond her legal practice, she also serves as the Administrative Legal Coordinator at the Arachchi Foundation, a charitable organization committed to social welfare and community development. Her role there reflects her belief that the law is not only a tool for justice but also a means of service.
She is also a researcher, writer, and author of academic journals, exploring intersections between law, technology, and social impact. Her scholarly contributions reflect the same passion for clarity, structure, and purpose that guide her work in the courtroom and beyond.
Her early years as a legal apprentice were marked by long hours and heavy files—training grounds where theory met practice and where the sharp edges of law collided with the messy realities of human lives. She recalls the transition vividly: from poring over textbooks in lecture halls to sitting with clients whose stories were often heavier than any statute could capture.
It was during this time she recognized a truth that would shape her career: “Behind every file lies a human story.” Those words remain the compass for her work—reminding her that the law, at its best, is not abstract argument but lived experience.
Among the many matters she has handled, the most harrowing have been cases involving children, particularly victims of abuse. “Reading their stories alone can be deeply painful, because children are the most vulnerable members of society,” she says. These cases taught her that law is not measured only in courtroom victories. It is equally about safeguarding humanity at its most fragile, carrying empathy as carefully as one carries evidence. That lesson became one of the pillars of her professional philosophy.
Breaking Biases: A Woman’s Voice in Law
The legal profession, often dominated by male voices, is no stranger to bias. Ronali has faced moments where her capability was questioned simply because she was a woman. Instead of meeting such prejudice with defensiveness, she allowed her work to speak for itself. “I let my work speak louder than any bias. Professionalism, perseverance, and faith carry me further than prejudice ever could.” Her quiet defiance is not loud but effective, transforming doubt into respect and stereotype into silence.
Power as Responsibility
How she defines power, her definition reveals her philosophy. “Power is not control—it is responsibility,” she asserts. To her, power is not the gavel striking but the unseen strength to uplift others. It is rooted not in dominance but in humility, in the conscious use of influence to bring fairness where it is lacking.
Anchored in Faith, Lifted by Music
Finding balance between the courtroom and the music“
Yet beyond the weight of the courtroom, Ronali finds her balance in music. To her, music has always been more than a hobby—it is both a passion and a calling. She pursued formal training in piano and music theory through the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) and the Institute of Western Music and Speech (IWMS), completing Grade 8 and progressing to the ATCL diploma level. Alongside piano, singing has been one of her deepest joys. Today, she is not only a chorister but also a trainer, lending her voice to various choirs while shaping others with her guidance.
For Ronali, these talents are not confined to performance alone. She uses her music in service to God and shares it in spaces that bring both fulfillment and growth. “Music, prayer, and time with loved ones keep me centered. These moments bring creativity and warmth into my work,” she says. In fact, she believes the discipline, focus, and creativity she learned through music have enriched her legal journey just as much as her personal one.
When she is not singing, she can often be found at the piano, letting melodies flow through her fingertips. For her, the piano is not an escape from the law but a companion to it—a reminder that even in the most rigid of systems, there must always be space for grace, expression, and humanity. Music grounds her, balances her, and continually reminds her of the beauty that parallels the pursuit of justice.
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Her faith forms the anchor of both her professional and personal lives. Whether serving as a catechist in her church or lifting her voice in the choir, she believes those experiences nourish her spirit and keep her rooted in humility. “Justice without love is empty, and love without justice is incomplete,” she reflects—a reminder that her vision of justice is never detached from compassion.
The Lawyer’s Misconception
One of the common misconceptions about lawyers, she notes, is that they are trained to twist truths—to make “a lie a truth and a truth a lie.” Nothing could be further from reality. “At our best, we are problem-solvers, advisors, and guardians of trust,” she explains. She sees lawyers not as manipulators but as guardians, the last line of defense for justice and for those who might otherwise be voiceless.
Lessons to Her Younger Self
Looking back, she wishes her younger self had trusted her instincts more. To the young law student she once was, she would say: “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. They will become your greatest teachers. And always remember: this profession is about people first, law second.”
Women Leading the Way
Today, she sees the future of women in law as brighter than ever. More women are entering the profession and stepping into leadership roles. “The next decade will not only see women participating but leading—with vision, courage, and integrity,” she predicts. Her advice to young women dreaming of a career in male-dominated industries is both firm and empowering: “Believe in your worth. Don’t allow others to set your limits. Work hard, stay authentic, and never shrink yourself to fit into someone else’s mold.”
A Vision for Justice
Beyond the legal practice, her vision turns towards a more equitable society. She strongly advocates for policies to ensure equal access to justice for vulnerable groups. “Justice cannot remain a privilege of the few —it must be a shield for all, regardless of wealth, influence, or power.” she insists.
When she walks into a courtroom, her mindset is a careful balance of preparation, humility, and courage. Preparation sharpens her arguments, humility keeps her grounded, and courage reminds her why she is there: to serve justice with fairness and truth. And when she steps out of the courtroom , while being seated at a piano or lifting her voice in song. In both spheres, she finds harmony between duty and passion, justice and grace. She carries the same values into her music—a seamless symphony of law and life.
In the end, Ronali Lokubalasuriya’s journey is not defined solely by the cases she has won or the titles she has earned. It is defined by the balance she has achieved—between duty, discipline, and passion, between resilience, empathy, and grace. The scales of justice and the notes of music, both an attorney and an artist.
Her journey and story remind us that justice and humanity are not separate notes, but part of the same composition—and that the most powerful legacies are written not only in courtrooms, but also in the way we live, create, and uplift others.