Tab Article

Genre: Law, Human Rights, Political Science, Sri Lankan Studies
Ratings: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Book Review:
''Sri Lanka: Towards a Contempt of Courts Law'' is a critical and timely edited volume that examines the complex and often controversial legal doctrine of contempt of court within the Sri Lankan context. Edited by prominent human rights advocate Basil Fernando and legal scholar Shyamali Puvimanasinghe, this book delves into the tension between upholding judicial authority and protecting fundamental democratic freedoms such as free speech, press freedom, and the right to critique the judiciary. Published by the Asian Human Rights Commission, it provides a rigorous analysis of how contempt laws can potentially be used to suppress dissent and stifle necessary public discourse on judicial conduct. The essays within are likely to cover comparative perspectives, historical evolution, and case studies, making it an essential resource for legal practitioners, law students, journalists, and human rights activists. This book does not merely describe the law but engages in the crucial debate about legal reform, advocating for a balance that respects the courts while safeguarding democratic space. It is a significant contribution to the scholarship on Sri Lanka's legal system and its intersection with human rights.