http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/12543 2026-04-29T07:47:34Z 2026-04-29T07:47:34Z Sathsarani, D.D.C. http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/12556 2026-04-29T07:07:25Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Law in the Age of Innovation: Evaluating Sri Lanka’s Response to Rapid Technological Change Authors: Sathsarani, D.D.C. Abstract: The rapid growth of digital technologies has significantly reshaped legal, economic, and social landscapes worldwide, and Sri Lanka is no exception. This research investigates the evolving interplay between law and technology in Sri Lanka, concentrating on the legal system’s adaptation to emerging digital challenges while striving to leverage technological advancements for the transformation of the justice sector. Key areas of analysis include cybersecurity, data protection, artificial intelligence, digital evidence, and the modernization of court processes. Sri Lanka’s legal framework has taken notable steps forward with the enactment of the Personal Data Protection Act No. 9 of 2022, the Online Safety Act No. 9 of 2024, the expansion of the Computer Crimes Act No. 24 of 2007, and the increasing judicial acceptance of electronic evidence under the Evidence (Special Provisions) Act No. 14 of 1995. However, technological development continues to outpace legislation, resulting in gaps related to AI governance, algorithmic accountability, digital surveillance practices, and online consumer protection. The study explores how these gaps affect individual rights, data sovereignty, transparency, and due process. Furthermore, the research evaluates the emerging digital transformation of Sri Lanka’s judiciary, including electronic filing, virtual hearings, and digital case-management systems. While these innovations promise greater access to justice and efficiency, challenges such as digital inequality, inadequate infrastructure, and limited cybersecurity preparedness create obstacles to full implementation. Drawing from comparative legal jurisdictions and regional experiences, the study identifies reforms needed to modernize Sri Lanka’s legal framework. This research is intended to propose AI regulation, enhance cyber-governance, improve institutional technological capacity, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration between technologists, policymakers, and legal practitioners. Ultimately, the research concluded the necessity for a forward-looking, technology-responsive legal system capable of safeguarding rights and promoting innovation in Sri Lanka’s rapidly digitizing society.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Apurwa Nisali Sandamini, W.K. http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/12555 2026-04-29T06:32:18Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: A Comparative Analysis of Legal Obligations to Provide Deafblind Interpreters in Sri Lanka: With the United Kingdom’s Dual Sensory Impairment Framework Authors: Apurwa Nisali Sandamini, W.K. Abstract: This study investigates an important but underexplored void in the lawregarding the provision of Interpreters to Deafblind individuals in Sri Lanka: there is no statutory provision requiring qualified deafblind interpreters. This gap directly undermines Deafblind persons’ communication rights under Article 21(c) of the CRPD. In contrast, legislation in the United Kingdom, such as the Equality Act 2010 and the Care Act 2014, along with guidance on Deaf blindness set out by Statutory Guidance on Deaf blindness, has established a clear basis for a legally recognised entitlement to Interpreting Services. By means of a comparative analysis of primary legislation, case law, regulatory instruments, and policy directives between the two jurisdictions, this study evaluates the extent to which the United Kingdom meets the minimum UN CRPD Articles 9 (Accessibility); 21 (Freedom of Expression and Access to Information) and 13 (Access to Justice). Through the analysis of findings of the Study, it can be concluded that existing disability laws in Sri Lanka only provide for general accessibility rights and do not set out any specific legal obligations concerning the provision of deafblind Interpreting services, tactile sign language, or specialised communication support. In healthcare, education and justice, effective communication is essential for the full realization of people’s human rights. However, the statutory ambiguity associated with these areas of law creates significant barriers to people’s ability to access their rights through effective communication. By comparison, a key feature of the UK legal framework is the transformation of interpreter access from a discretionary service to an enforceable legal right. This transformation has been accomplished through specific requirements of public sector equality duties, reasonable modifications, specialist assessment and service commissioning criteria. The evidence presented in this study demonstrates that legislative specificity is key to delivering accountability and standardisation for deafblind individuals and that legislative specificity is superior to general policy goals. Consequently, it is recommended that Sri Lanka should abandon fragmented, policy-based approaches, and adopt a cohesive and comprehensive framework of primary legislation to establish the regulatory, training and funding infrastructure necessary for the establishment of deaf blindness as a distinct disability category and the provision of qualified interpreters as a reasonable accommodation. The resulting legislative framework would help to ensure that domestic legislation is in conformity with the transformative equality objectives of the CRPD, and the procedural clarity associated with the UK legal framework.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Kularathne, P.S.C. http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/12554 2026-04-29T06:11:49Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Robbench: Can Ai Judges Revolutionize Sri Lanka’s Quest for Justice? Authors: Kularathne, P.S.C. Abstract: Investigates the potential role of AI in transforming SL’s judiciary system currently burdened with over 1.1 million unresolved cases caused by outdated paper-based procedures, limited digitization, and judicial understaffing. These systemic inefficiencies have eroded public confidence and highlighted the urgent need for reform. Drawing lessons from countries such as China, Estonia, and Brazil where AI has been piloted in judicial settings this study evaluates whether SL can ethically and effectively adopt AI while preserving the integrity of its legal traditions. Adopting a mixed-method, the study integrates qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews with quantitative perspectives. Data was gathered from 106 participants all over the country, comprising 20 lawyers, 40 law students, 15 research officers, 30 members of the public, and an industry expert, Mr. Parakrama Rathnayake of RedBlocks/AI Pazz. This inclusive approach ensured a balanced evaluation across professional, educational, and societal viewpoints. Findings show that AI holds considerable promise for streamlining judicial processes, reducing case backlogs, and enhancing access to justice. However, consensus among stakeholders underscores that AI should function as a supportive mechanism rather than a decision-making authority, thereby safeguarding judicial independence and public trust. Further proposed a phased strategy to integrate AI into judiciary system (1) digitization of judicial processes, (2) introduction of supportive AI tools, (3) pilot projects in low-risk areas, and (4) establishment of ethical and legal safeguards, including a Judicial AI Oversight Commission. Parallel emphasis is placed on capacity-building initiatives training judges, lawyers, and research-officers in AI literacy while fostering public education to mitigate the risks of over-reliance on algorithms.The study concludes that AI can significantly modernize SL’s judiciary and restore confidence in the justice system if introduced gradually, under human control, and aligned with both domestic legal traditions and international ethical standards. AI, therefore, should be viewed not as a replacement for judges, but as a catalyst for creating a more efficient, transparent, and accessible judicial system.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Ranawaka, R.A.H.D.N. http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/12553 2026-04-29T05:52:25Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Examining The Relationship Between Police Brutality and State- Sanctioned Violence: Impacts on Civil Liberties and Public Trust in Law Enforcement Authors: Ranawaka, R.A.H.D.N. Abstract: Police brutality, defined as the excessive or unlawful use of force by law enforcement officers, is closely linked to broader forms of state-sanctioned violence. Legal frameworks such as Emergency Regulations have, in certain contexts, legitimised coercive policing practices which, when combined with police brutality, contribute to the restriction of civil liberties, particularly the rights to freedom from torture, personal liberty, and freedom of expression. These practices have also significantly eroded public trust in law enforcement institutions. This study focuses on Sri Lanka due to its recent history of police brutality and state-sanctioned violence, particularly in the application of laws such as the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Through selected case studies involving judicial decisions, documented incidents of police brutality, and institutional responses, the research examines how these practices are interrelated and how they contribute to the erosion of fundamental rights. The study further analyses the impact of such practices on democratic governance, including reduced public cooperation with the police, declining crime reporting, and increased social unrest. The research adopts a qualitative doctrinal and sociolegal methodology. This includes legal analysis of relevant statutes and case law, complemented by thematic analysis of documented incidents of police brutality. Secondary public opinion data is utilised, drawing on reports published by human rights organisations, commissions of inquiry, and prior empirical studies assessing public perceptions of law enforcement. The findings demonstrate that repeated instances of police brutality, often justified on grounds of public order and national security, disproportionately affect marginalised communities and undermine public confidence in law enforcement agencies. The study concludes that sustained state tolerance of excessive police force weakens democratic governance and highlights the urgent need for reform of Sri Lanka’s legal and institutional policing frameworks through stronger oversight, enhanced accountability, and a shift towards rights-based policing.

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