Kandyan law


Kandyan law is the customary law that originates from the Kingdom of Kandy, which is applicable to Sri Lankans who are Buddhist and from the former provinces of the Kandyan Kingdom. It is one of three customary laws which are still in use in Sri Lanka. The other two customary laws are the Thesavalamai and the Muslim law. At present it governs aspects of marriage, adoption, transfer of property and inheritance, as codified in 1938 in the Kandyan Law Declaration and Amendment Ordinance.

Jurisdiction

Areas where kandyan law is applied;
Traditionally Kandyan law recognizes two types of marriage;
The Kandyan Marriage and Divorce Act, is the current legal framework which governs Kandyan weddings. It recognizes both Binna and Diga marriages.

Polygamy

Kandyan law, traditionally provided for polygamy. Kandyan kings had multiple queens and concubines.

Polyandry

, was practiced in Kandyan provinces until it was banned by the British in 1859. The practice known as eka-ge-kema meaning eating in one house, provided for a wife to have several husbands from the same family. In most cases these husbands would be brothers. The practice predates the Kandyan era and was even common among Royalty as King Vijayabahu VII of Kotte had cohabited his first wife Anula Kahatuda with his brother Sri Rajasinghe.