Criminal Law in Sri Lanka

This book describes and evaluates the general principles of criminal responsibility and the major offences against the person and property contained in the Sri Lankan Penal Code. The aims are to assist in the application of the law and to provide suggestions for reform. To achieve these aims, it examines cases from other Penal Code jurisdictions as well as from Sri Lanka. There has not been a comprehensive study of the Sri Lankan Penal Code since Professor GL Peiris’ books were published nearly 40 years ago (General Principles of Criminal Liability in Ceylon: A Comparative Analysis (1st Edn, 1972; 2nd Edn, 1980) and Offences under the Penal Code of Ceylon (1st Edn, 1973; 2nd Edn, 1982)). Significant legislative and case law developments have occurred since that time. Much of the Penal Code has stood the test of time. However, given its antiquity, this commentary proposes significant reforms. They include the enactment of a ‘General Part’, with precise and comprehensive provisions reflecting contemporary views about criminal responsibility.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive analysis of the general principles of criminal responsibility in Sri Lanka
• Analysis of the major offences against the person and property in light of the general principles of criminal responsibility
• Review of major relevant cases from Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, Myanmar and Singapore
• Placing the law in a historical and theoretical context pointing to its strengths and weaknesses, and suggesting potential reforms to bring the law into the 21st Century