Introduction to the laws of Sri Lanka

• Pre Colonial Period (Beforw 1501)
• Portuguese Period (1505-1656)
• Dutch Period (1656-1796)

Pre Colonial Period

• Did not have clearly defined concepts such as laws and customs.
• No courts system.
• Administrative Officers performed judicial functions too.

Evidenace of Pre colonial laws

• Compilation of a code of law during the reign of Dappula III
• Evidence of an officela called Lekamge
• Malvana Convention
• Kandyan Convention
• Tesawalamai Code and Mohommadan Code