100+ Free SLLC Preliminary Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: SLLC Preliminary Exam

50% avg

Overall passing average required across all subjects

Sri Lanka Law College Exam Rules

40% min

Minimum passing score required in each individual subject

Sri Lanka Law College Exam Rules

LKR 17,500

Standard examination fee (LKR 2,500 per subject for 7 subjects)

SLLC Payment Notice

4 attempts

Maximum number of attempts allowed to pass the Preliminary Year

Council of Legal Education Rules

12 years

Minimum age of criminal responsibility under the amended Penal Code

Penal Code (Amendment) Act, No. 10 of 2018

1 month

Time limit to file a fundamental rights petition under Article 126

1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka

The Sri Lanka Law College (SLLC) Attorneys-at-Law Preliminary Year Examination is the first-year academic milestone for prospective lawyers in Sri Lanka. Overseen by the Incorporated Council of Legal Education, it requires candidates to obtain a 50% average across 7 subjects, with a minimum of 40% in each. Fees are LKR 2,500 per subject. Successful completion qualifies the candidate to enter the Intermediate Year.

Sample SLLC Preliminary Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your SLLC Preliminary exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under Article 126 of the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka, which court is vested with sole and exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine any question relating to the infringement of fundamental rights?

A.The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka

B.The Court of Appeal of Sri Lanka

C.The High Court of Sri Lanka

D.The District Court of Colombo

Explanation: Article 126 of the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka grants the Supreme Court sole and exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine any question relating to the infringement or imminent infringement of any fundamental right or language right by executive or administrative action. Other courts do not possess this original constitutional jurisdiction.

2An application under Article 126 for the enforcement of fundamental rights must be filed within what period of time from the date of the alleged infringement?

A.Within fourteen days

B.Within one month

C.Within three months

D.Within one year

Explanation: According to Article 126(2) of the Constitution, a petition for relief in respect of the infringement of a fundamental right must be presented to the Supreme Court within one month of the alleged infringement. While the Court has in exceptional circumstances allowed exceptions (e.g. where the petitioner was unlawfully detained and unable to access counsel), the statutory limit remains one month.

3Which of the following fundamental rights guaranteed by the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka is absolute and cannot be restricted under any circumstances under Article 15?

A.Freedom of speech and expression

B.Freedom of association

C.Freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment

D.Freedom to engage in any lawful occupation

Explanation: Article 11 (freedom from torture, cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment) and Article 10 (freedom of thought, conscience, and religion) are absolute rights under the Sri Lankan Constitution. They are not subject to the restrictions listed in Article 15, which can limit rights such as speech, assembly, association, and occupation in the interest of national security or public order.

4Who has the standing (locus standi) to petition the Supreme Court under Article 126 of the Constitution for a violation of a fundamental right?

A.Any citizen of Sri Lanka, regardless of whether they are personally affected

B.Only the person whose right is alleged to have been infringed, or an Attorney-at-Law acting on their behalf

C.Only the Attorney General or the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka

D.Any person residing in Sri Lanka, but only with the prior written sanction of the President

Explanation: Article 126(2) states that any person who alleges that any fundamental right has been infringed or is threatened to be infringed may himself, or by an Attorney-at-Law on his behalf, apply to the Supreme Court by way of petition. Public interest litigation in fundamental rights matters has been selectively permitted by judicial interpretation, but the strict constitutional provision requires personal interest or representation by an attorney.

5Under the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka, which of the following provisions requires a referendum of the people in addition to a two-thirds majority in Parliament to be amended?

A.An amendment to change the qualification criteria for Members of Parliament

B.An amendment to extend the term of office of the President or the duration of Parliament beyond six years

C.An amendment to alter the structure of the Provincial Councils

D.An amendment to change the official language of administration from Sinhala to English

Explanation: Under Article 83 of the Constitution, a bill to amend or replace certain entrenched provisions—such as Articles 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and notably any bill seeking to extend the term of the President or the duration of Parliament beyond six years—requires both a two-thirds majority in Parliament and approval by the people at a referendum.

6Article 2 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka explicitly declares the State of Sri Lanka to be:

A.A Federal State

B.A Unitary State

C.A Confederation of Provinces

D.A Secular Socialist State

Explanation: Article 2 of the 1978 Constitution declares, 'The Republic of Sri Lanka is a Unitary State.' This is an entrenched provision, meaning any attempt to change this structure to a federal or other format requires a referendum under Article 83.

7Which article of the 1978 Constitution guarantees Buddhism the foremost place, while assuring to all religions the rights guaranteed by Articles 10 and 14(1)(e)?

A.Article 3

B.Article 9

C.Article 12

D.Article 15

Explanation: Article 9 of the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka states that 'The Republic of Sri Lanka shall give to Buddhism the foremost place and accordingly it shall be the duty of the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana, while assuring to all religions the rights granted by Articles 10 and 14(1)(e).'

8Under Article 13(1) of the Constitution, what is the right of a person who is arrested?

A.The right to be released on bail within twenty-four hours without conditions

B.The right to be informed of the reason for his arrest

C.The right to immediate trial in a High Court

D.The right to be represented by a state-funded attorney during police interrogation

Explanation: Article 13(1) of the Constitution guarantees that 'No person shall be arrested except according to procedure established by law. Any person arrested shall be informed of the reason for his arrest.' This is a vital procedural safeguard against arbitrary arrest.

9Article 13(2) mandates that any person held in custody, detained, or otherwise deprived of personal liberty must be brought before the judge of which court within twenty-four hours (excluding travel time)?

A.The Supreme Court

B.The Court of Appeal

C.The nearest competent court (typically the Magistrate's Court)

D.The District Court

Explanation: Article 13(2) states that every person held in custody, detained, or otherwise deprived of personal liberty shall be brought before the judge of the nearest competent court (in practice, the Magistrate's Court) according to procedure established by law, and shall not be further detained except upon an order of such judge.

10In which landmark case did the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka clarify that the term 'executive or administrative action' under Article 126 does not cover purely private contract disputes or ordinary breaches of law by public entities?

A.Wijesinghe v. Attorney General

B.Lipton v. Buchanan

C.Ramupillai v. Festus Perera

D.Seneviratne v. Attorney General

Explanation: In Wijesinghe v. Attorney General (1979), the Supreme Court established that Article 126 provides redress for infringements of fundamental rights resulting from 'executive or administrative action' by the State. Purely private contract disputes or actions that are not governmental in character do not qualify as executive or administrative action.

About the SLLC Preliminary Exam

First-year bar-qualifying examination of the Sri Lanka Law College. It tests foundational legal subjects: Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Legal History & Systems (including Roman Law), Law of Persons, Contracts, and Torts. Candidates must pass all papers with an overall average of 50% and a minimum of 40% per subject to proceed to the Intermediate Year.

Assessment

Question count not published by the exam provider

Time Limit

3 hours per subject

Passing Score

50% average (min 40% per subject)

Exam Fee

LKR 17,500 (Sri Lanka Law College)

SLLC Preliminary Exam Content Outline

15%

Constitutional Law

Principles of the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka, fundamental rights and their enforcement, and the distribution of executive, legislative, and judicial power.

15%

Legal History and Legal Systems of Sri Lanka

Historical development of common law, the Roman-Dutch and English law reception, and customary/personal laws (Kandyan, Thesawalamai, Muslim).

15%

Roman Law

The legal system of ancient Rome, Justinian's compilations, and the law of persons, property, obligations (contracts), and delicts.

15%

Criminal Law (Penal Code)

The Sri Lankan Penal Code, general principles of criminal liability, general exceptions, abetment, conspiracy, offences against the person and property.

15%

Law of Obligations-I (Contract)

Formation of contracts, comparisons of Roman-Dutch causa vs English consideration, minor capacity, reality of consent, breach, and contractual remedies.

15%

Law of Torts / Delict

Principles of delictual liability, Aquilian action for pecuniary damage, Actio Injuriarum for personality infringement, negligence, and specific torts.

10%

Other Core Subject Areas

Law of Persons, Industrial Law, Legislative Drafting & Statutory Interpretation, and Environmental or Conflict of Laws electives.

How to Pass the SLLC Preliminary Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 50% average (min 40% per subject)
Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
Time limit: 3 hours per subject
Exam fee: LKR 17,500

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

SLLC Preliminary Study Tips from Top Performers

1Focus on the differences between Roman-Dutch and English law: notably, the requirement of 'justa causa' vs 'consideration' in contracts, and the fault-based Aquilian action vs strict liability in delict.

2Memorize key sections of the Penal Code: study the definitions and exceptions for murder (Section 294), common intention (Section 32), and property crimes like theft, extortion, and criminal breach of trust.

3Understand the scope of personal laws: distinguish the personal and geographical applications of Kandyan Law, Thesawalamai Law, and Muslim Law in Sri Lanka.

4Review Constitutional Law case law under Article 126: study key Supreme Court judgments defining 'executive or administrative action' and the scope of fundamental rights like equality (Article 12(1)) and freedom from torture (Article 11).

5Practice applying legal principles to problem questions: SLLC exams are essay-based, so practicing analysis of factual scenarios is crucial to success on the actual exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the passing criteria for the SLLC Preliminary Examination?

To pass the Preliminary Year examination, a candidate must obtain an average of 50% across all subjects, with a minimum of 40% in each individual subject. If a candidate obtains the 50% average but scores between 30-39% in only one subject, they may be referred in that subject and can re-sit it up to two times.

What happens if a candidate fails the referred subject, or fails to meet the pass criteria?

If a candidate fails to pass the referred subject within the two permitted attempts, or fails the overall exam, they must re-sit all subjects of the Preliminary Year. Students are generally permitted a maximum of four attempts to pass the Preliminary Year examination.

What is the fee structure for the SLLC examinations?

As of recent updates from the Council of Legal Education, the examination fee is LKR 2,500 per subject (approximately LKR 17,500 total for 7 subjects). Additionally, students must pay annual registration and lecture fees, which are LKR 40,500 for students registered from 2023 onwards.

Does this practice bank cover the entire SLLC Preliminary syllabus?

This practice bank of 100 questions covers the six main foundational law subjects: Constitutional Law, Legal System of Sri Lanka, Roman Law, Penal Code/Criminal Law, Law of Contracts, and Law of Torts. It is designed to test key legal concepts, statutory sections, and landmark cases to supplement your primary reading of textbooks and past papers.

What is the difference between the SLLC Entrance Exam and the Preliminary Exam?

The SLLC Entrance Examination is a highly competitive competitive exam testing IQ, general knowledge, and language skills, taken by graduates or applicants to gain admission to the college. The Preliminary Year Examination is the first-year academic exam taken by enrolled law students at the end of their first year of study.