Govt decides to conduct comprehensive review of several laws

The government has announced a comprehensive review of long-standing laws across multiple sectors, with plans to amend outdated statutes and regulations to better align with present-day needs.

The Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Prof. Chandana Abayarathna made the announcement while addressing the inaugural session of a programme introducing legal reforms to public officials.

The Minister said cabinet approval has already been granted on two occasions, under the leadership of the President, to initiate the reform process. Sub-committees representing 13 different sectors and ministries have been recommended to spearhead the review and drafting process.

Minister Abayarathna noted that several laws currently in force date back to the British colonial era, while some are rooted in even earlier legal traditions that were later codified during colonial rule.

“While age alone is not a reason to repeal a law, many of these statutes must be revisited to ensure they are compatible with modern governance and social realities,” the Minister said.

Minister of Public Administration Prof. Chandana Abayarathna said the government is also looking at simplifying complex legal provisions and reintroducing certain laws in a more accessible format to improve public service delivery and make it easier for citizens to obtain services.

The reform initiative is expected to examine laws, regulations and administrative frameworks with a view to making them more efficient, relevant and responsive to changing national requirements, the Minister added.