A law book revised for the times
View(s):First published in 1970, Professor G. L. Peiris’ ‘The Law of Evidence in Sri Lanka’ has, for more than five decades, occupied a distinctive place in the country’s legal literature. Few works of legal scholarship in Sri Lanka have enjoyed such continuity of use. For generations of law students, practising attorneys and members of the judiciary, it has remained a dependable guide to the Evidence Ordinance and to the principles governing its application.
From its earliest editions, the book received approval from senior members of the legal profession, who recognized its clarity of expression, careful analysis, and practical value to both Bench and Bar. That early reception helped secure its position as a standard reference, while its sustained demand over the years confirmed the confidence placed in it by successive legions of readers.
The present edition is noteworthy for the extent of its revision. This is not a simple reissue of an established text, but a fully updated volume in which the commentary has been reviewed and strengthened to reflect changes in statute, judicial interpretation, and contemporary legal practice. Of particular significance is the inclusion of an entirely new chapter dealing with computer-generated evidence and connected matters, an area that has assumed increasing importance with the expansion of digital records and electronic communication in legal proceedings. The new preface situates the work in this modern context, while remaining faithful to the scholarly purpose that informed the book from its inception.
At the same time, the core discussions of evidential principle that formed the book’s original strength have been retained where they continue to instruct. Other sections have been revised or supplemented to take account of later authorities and emerging practical concerns. Practitioners will note the careful updating of case law, while students will find the familiar clarity of exposition preserved, now supported by references aligned with present-day requirements of study and practice.
In undertaking this revision, care has been taken to maintain the book’s measured tone and methodical structure. The balance struck between continuity and renewal ensures that the work retains the authority earned over many years, while offering clear relevance to today’s legal community.
This new edition reaffirms ‘The Law of Evidence in Sri Lanka’ as a living text, continuing quietly and usefully to contribute to the study and practice of law in Sri Lanka.
It is published by Lake House Printers & Publishers PLC, and will be available soon at all leading bookshops in Sri Lanka.
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