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The common law of Sri Lanka and its historical evolution sheet
Essay frame

Trace the historical evolution of the Sri Lankan legal system.

How to lay out the answer. Follow the frame, then write it in your own words.

  1. 1 · Open in two lines. Sri Lanka has a mixed legal system built in layers: customary law, Roman-Dutch law, English law and personal laws.
  2. 2 · Draw the timeline. [Diagram: customary law → Portuguese (1505) → Dutch (1658) → British (1796) → independence (1948) → Constitution (1978)]
  3. 3 · Pre-colonial and Portuguese periods. Customary law of the kingdoms; the Portuguese left little lasting law.
  4. 4 · Dutch period. Roman-Dutch law applied in the maritime provinces; Thesawalamai codified (1707).
  5. 5 · British period.
    • Roman-Dutch law kept as the common law; Kandyan law kept after 1815.
    • English law added through the Civil Law Ordinance (1852), statutes and English-trained judges.
  6. 6 · Independence and today. Republic in 1972; present Constitution in 1978. Sources today: Constitution, legislation, precedent, Roman-Dutch law, English law, personal laws.
  7. 7 · In Sri Lankan business. Agency and partnership follow English law; land and general contract follow Roman-Dutch law.
  8. 8 · Close in one line. Each ruler added a layer; the result is a mixed legal system.

Scoring tip: Dates make the answer look confident. Learn five: 1658, 1796, 1815, 1948, 1978.