The Constitution comes first
The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, adopted in 1978, is the supreme law. It sets out the structure of government, the jurisdiction of the superior courts and the fundamental rights in Chapter III. Amendments to the Constitution, such as the Thirteenth Amendment that created the Provincial Councils and the Provincial High Courts, change how other laws operate.
When you research any Sri Lankan law question, check whether a constitutional provision applies before turning to statute or case law. The language provisions in Chapter IV, for example, make Sinhala and Tamil the official languages and English the link language.
Roman-Dutch law and English law
Roman-Dutch law, introduced during the Dutch period, remains the residual common law of Sri Lanka. It still governs many questions of property, contract, delict and family relations where no statute applies. Classical writers such as Voet, Grotius and Van Leeuwen continue to be cited, and South African decisions can be persuasive because South Africa shares the same tradition.
English law entered through the British period. The Civil Law Ordinance of 1852 brought English law into many commercial matters, and English common-law principles shaped criminal law, evidence and procedure. Sri Lankan courts therefore read English decisions alongside local authority, but always in their Sri Lankan context.
Personal laws: Kandyan, Thesawalamai and Muslim law
Three personal-law systems apply to particular communities:
- Kandyan law applies to persons subject to it in matters such as marriage, divorce, succession and gifts.
- Thesawalamai applies to Tamils of the Northern Province who are governed by it, particularly in property and inheritance.
- Muslim law governs marriage, divorce and succession for Muslims, including under the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act.
Whether a personal law applies depends on the parties and the facts, so frame the question carefully before searching.
Acts, ordinances and the Gazette
Sri Lankan legislation comes in several forms. Colonial ordinances such as the Penal Code, the Evidence Ordinance and the Prescription Ordinance remain in force, often with many amendments. Between 1972 and 1978 the National State Assembly passed Laws, and since 1978 Parliament has enacted Acts, such as the Companies Act No. 7 of 2007 and the Personal Data Protection Act No. 9 of 2022.
Regulations, orders and notifications made under an Act are published in the Gazette. Parliament publishes Acts and Bills online. Always check the amendments and the version in force on the date relevant to your matter.
The courts of Sri Lanka
- Supreme Court: the final appellate court, with exclusive jurisdiction over constitutional questions and fundamental rights applications.
- Court of Appeal: hears appeals from the courts of first instance and exercises writ jurisdiction.
- High Courts: the High Court and the Provincial High Courts try serious criminal cases and hear certain appeals and commercial matters.
- District Courts: the main civil courts of first instance, including land, family and money claims.
- Magistrates’ Courts and Primary Courts: handle most criminal cases at first instance and certain local disputes.
Decisions of the Supreme Court bind the courts below it, which is why law reports and recent judgments matter so much in Sri Lankan legal research.
Researching Sri Lankan law with Lex
Lex brings Sri Lankan legislation, Gazette material, historical and current law reports, and selected Commonwealth authorities into one research workspace. Ask a question in plain language, then open the cited judgments and provisions to check them for yourself. See our step-by-step legal research guide or explore the archive.
Questions and answers
What is the main law in Sri Lanka?
The 1978 Constitution is the supreme law. Below it sit Acts of Parliament and older ordinances. Roman-Dutch law is the residual common law, English law applies in many commercial and procedural areas, and Kandyan law, Thesawalamai and Muslim law apply to particular communities.
What type of legal system does Sri Lanka have?
Sri Lanka has a mixed legal system. It combines Roman-Dutch civil-law roots, English common-law influences, a written Constitution and statutes, and customary personal laws.
Where can I read Sri Lankan Acts and judgments?
Parliament publishes Acts and Bills, and the superior courts publish recent judgments online. Lex brings legislation, law reports and judgments together so you can search them by question and open the original sources.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Last updated 6 October 2026.