Research and Analysis of latest Acts, amendments and Judgements
- New Proceeds of Crime Bill may raise constitutional concerns regarding the right to property
The Government of Sri Lanka’s decision to table the Proceeds of Crimes Bill reflects a strategic move to strengthen the country’s legal and institutional framework against financial crimes, corruption, and money laundering. This legislative initiative aligns with global anti-money laundering standards and seeks to enhance asset recovery mechanisms by empowering authorities to trace, seize, and… Read more: New Proceeds of Crime Bill may raise constitutional concerns regarding the right to property - Imposition of Stamp Duty in Sri Lanka
Stamp duty ordinance was enacted in Sri Lanka in 1909. Thereafter in 1982 Parliament enacted No 43 of Stamp Duty Act to provide for the imposition of stamp duty on instruments and documents and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. Stamp Duties on immovable property and… Read more: Imposition of Stamp Duty in Sri Lanka
LEGAL RESOURCES
New Law Reports
Sri Lanka Law Reports
Acts and Ordinances
eLAW LIBRARY: Click link to download all legal resources and materials required for legal research analysis
KEY CONTENT
FEATURED
- Deshabandu Tennakoon v. Hon. B. A. Aruna Indrajith Buddhadasa & Others (CA Writ Application 168/25)
- United States SEC v. Surage Kamal Roshan Perera and Janues Capital Incorporated
- Conviction under the Prevention of Money Laundering
- Legal Analysis of the shareholder oppression and corporate mismanagement case against Harry Jayawardene in 2011
- Wrongful termination of employment under TEWA
JUDGEMENTS
- K.G.P.M. Nirmalatha v. Rajarata Sanwardana Bankuwa & Others [SC Appeal No. 168/2015]
This case sets a precedent that when an entity is abolished and replaced by a new entity through legislative action, employment contracts do not automatically transfer unless explicitly stated in the law. Employees must either accept new contracts or seek compensation as provided under the governing… Read more: K.G.P.M. Nirmalatha v. Rajarata Sanwardana Bankuwa & Others [SC Appeal No. 168/2015] - Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Sri Lanka Savings Bank in Landmark Banking Dispute
1. Introduction The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has delivered a decisive judgment in the case between Sri Lanka Savings Bank Limited (Plaintiff-Appellant) and Habib Bank AG Zurich (Defendant-Respondent), with Hatton National Bank Limited as the Substituted Defendant-Respondent. The case, registered as S.C. (CHC) Appeal No. 22/2010, arose from a banking dispute concerning… Read more: Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Sri Lanka Savings Bank in Landmark Banking Dispute
SUPREME COURT
- K.G.P.M. Nirmalatha v. Rajarata Sanwardana Bankuwa & Others [SC Appeal No. 168/2015]
- Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Sri Lanka Savings Bank in Landmark Banking Dispute
- Supreme Court Appeal No. 169/2015: Constructive Trust and Property Ownership Dispute
- SC Appeal No. 166/2014: Enforcement of Performance Bonds in Sri Lanka
- Judicial Review on SC Contempt No. 09/2024 against an Attorney at Law
COURT OF APPEAL
- Deshabandu Tennakoon v. Hon. B. A. Aruna Indrajith Buddhadasa & Others (CA Writ Application 168/25)
- Judicial Review of Child Abduction Case: CA (CPA) 162/2022
- Judicial Review of Land Lease Cancellations in Case CA/WRIT/146/2018
- Nagananda Kodituwakku v. Director General of Customs & Others
- Wrongful termination of employment under TEWA
LEGISLATIONS
LATEST
NEW ACTS
NEW AMENDMENTS
- Impact of the New Sri Lanka Telecommunications (Amendment) Act, No. 39 of 2024
- Consolidated Civil Procedure Code (2024)
- Recovery of Loans by Banks (Special Provisions) (Amendment)
- The Latest Amendments to the Companies Act, No. 07 of 2007
- The Latest Amendments to the Shop and Office Employees Act
- Latest Amendments to the Partition Act
NEW BILLS
- New Proceeds of Crime Bill may raise constitutional concerns regarding the right to property
- Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025
- Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill, 2025
- Bill for Demutualization of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE)
- Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill
KEY LEGISLATIONS
LEGAL QUERIES
- Imposition of Stamp Duty in Sri Lanka
- Conviction under the Prevention of Money Laundering
- Copyright law applicable to Online Legal information providers in Sri Lanka
- ‘mens rea’ component in narcotics cases
- Labour Law-Right of Appeal is Limited to Questions of Law
- The stage of litis contestatio being reached, does the cause of action survive?
- Inordinate delay in the conclusion of a criminal trial
- Excessive sentence-Fair Trial-Duty of the Prosecution and the Assigned Counsel
- Compensation following termination of employment
LEGAL NEWS
- New Proceeds of Crime Bill may raise constitutional concerns regarding the right to property
- Acts and Ordinances (Consolidated) 2024
- Compensation payable under Sri Lanka Disaster Management Act
- LankaLaw Sri Lanka’s Leading Legal Research Platforms
- Case Analysis: TikTok Inc., et al. v. Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General
- List of Cases Filed under the Online Safety Act of Sri Lanka
- Dispute over Telecasting rights of Sinhala films, “Nohadan Amme” and “Thakkita Tharikita”
- Balancing Legal Enforcement and Justice: Analysis of the NATA Act Revision Case
- Cancellation of the registration of Craig Estate Tea Factory
RESEARCH ARTICLES
- Affidavits: Legal Principles, Case Law, and Key Judgments
Introduction An affidavit is a written statement sworn to be true by the deponent, used as evidence in legal proceedings. Affidavits play a crucial role in both civil and criminal cases, serving as evidence in court, administrative proceedings, and business… Read more: Affidavits: Legal Principles, Case Law, and Key Judgments - Administrators and Executors in Sri Lanka: Legal Framework and Case Law
Introduction In Sri Lanka, the roles of administrators and executors are crucial in managing and distributing the estate of a deceased person. Their legal standing, responsibilities, and duties are guided by statutory laws and judicial precedents. This article delves into the… Read more: Administrators and Executors in Sri Lanka: Legal Framework and Case Law - Proof of Shipment Under Letter of Credit Transactions: Expectations of Banks
A Letter of Credit (LC) is a financial instrument issued by a bank at the request of a buyer to guarantee timely payment to a seller upon the presentation of specified documents. This mechanism ensures compliance with agreed terms, offering… Read more: Proof of Shipment Under Letter of Credit Transactions: Expectations of Banks - A Comparative Analysis of Time Limits for Employee Relief Applications
Time limitations regarding applications for relief following employment termination have become critical in industrial law. These limits are designed to ensure timely recourse while preventing administrative delays. This article examines the evolution of time limits in Sri Lanka, their implications… Read more: A Comparative Analysis of Time Limits for Employee Relief Applications - Freedom of Expression and the Right to Information: Pillars of Democracy and Good Governance
Freedom signifies the absence of control, interference, or restriction. Within this context, freedom of expression refers to the unrestrained ability to articulate one’s views, ideas, emotions, and thoughts. However, this right must coexist harmoniously with other universal freedoms, necessitating reasonable… Read more: Freedom of Expression and the Right to Information: Pillars of Democracy and Good Governance - Smuggling of Human Cargo and Liability Issues: Perspectives in International Law
Illicit or irregular migration is a global phenomenon, often analyzed from the perspective of the destination country. However, it is inherently a multilateral issue involving countries of origin, transit, and destination. Origin countries are implicated when individuals leave without valid… Read more: Smuggling of Human Cargo and Liability Issues: Perspectives in International Law - Corporate Takeovers: Regulatory Frameworks, Challenges, and International Comparisons
Corporate phenomena such as takeover offers—exemplified by Hatton National Bank’s bid for control of the Commercial Bank of Ceylon and the contest between Vanik Incorporated Ltd and Asia Capital Ltd over Forbes Ceylon Ltd—highlight the importance of regulatory frameworks like… Read more: Corporate Takeovers: Regulatory Frameworks, Challenges, and International Comparisons - Contracts of Employment and Unfair Dismissals: An Evolving Landscape
Contracts of employment represent more than mere agreements between two parties; they are a critical framework for balancing rights, obligations, and expectations within the industrial and economic fabric of society. The evolution from a master-servant relationship to one governed by… Read more: Contracts of Employment and Unfair Dismissals: An Evolving Landscape - Terminating a Company’s Existence
The termination of a company’s existence is a structured and legally governed process aimed at ensuring fairness, transparency, and adherence to statutory obligations. This article delves into the various methods by which a company can cease to exist under the… Read more: Terminating a Company’s Existence - Stamping of Documents in Legal Proceedings
Stamp duty represents a pivotal element in the legal framework, serving as a form of taxation on specific documents to ensure their validity and enforceability. Governed initially by Ordinance No. 22 of 1909, the regulation of stamp duty underwent significant… Read more: Stamping of Documents in Legal Proceedings