The role of commercial law and cybercrime legislation in promoting development and strengthening democracy in Sri Lanka: a study towards future legal developments

Abstract

This research explores the pivotal role of commercial law and cybercrime legislation in promoting economic development and strengthening democratic governance in Sri Lanka. As the nation transitions into a digital economy, understanding the interplay between legal frameworks, development, and democracy becomes essential. The study examines existing commercial laws and cybercrime legislation, offering a comparative analysis with international standards to identify systemic strengths and gaps. It evaluates how commercial law facilitates business operations, investment, and entrepreneurship, while cybercrime legislation addresses the rise in digital threats, ensuring business confidence and the protection of digital infrastructure. Crucially, the research emphasizes how legal enforcement strengthens democratic principles by enhancing transparency, accountability, and public trust. Effective laws are shown to reinforce governance structures that support democratic ideals. Case studies of legal reforms and landmark judgments are employed to illustrate these connections. Data collection involves qualitative methods, including document analysis of legislative texts, policy papers, and judicial decisions, alongside semi structured interviews with legal professionals, policymakers, and business stakeholders. Quantitative data from government and international reports are also utilized to assess trends in economic performance and cybercrime statistics. Analysis techniques include thematic content analysis to interpret qualitative data and comparative legal analysis to benchmark Sri Lanka’s frameworks against international models. Triangulation ensures credibility by cross-verifying data sources. Findings reveal that while legal reforms have improved the commercial and digital legal landscape, enforcement inefficiencies and legislative gaps persist. The study recommends strengthening institutional capacities, updating legal frameworks to reflect technological advancements, and promoting legal literacy. These reforms can enhance Sri Lanka’s ability to leverage law as a tool for inclusive development and democratic consolidation. Ultimately, the research highlights the critical nexus between law, development, and democracy, advocating for continuous legal modernization and international collaboration to meet future challenges.