Before Justice Awakes
 
By Ranjan Gooneratne
 
A masterful chronicle of Sri Lanka’s legal, political, and social evolution through the eyes of its judiciary.
 
Before Justice Awakes is not just a history book—it’s a vivid narrative that reveals the intellectual brilliance, institutional intrigue, and the moral struggles that shaped Sri Lanka's legal tradition from the early 19th century through to the twilight of the 20th.
 
From the grandeur of colonial courtrooms in Hulftsdorp to the fiery independence struggles in Parliament, this work unearths the intertwined destinies of judges, lawyers, and political families who helped script the nation’s legal and constitutional story. With detailed portraits of iconic figures—from Chief Justice Abrahams to Charles Ambrose Lorenz and Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam—the book celebrates the boldness, integrity, and wit that once defined the Sri Lankan Bench and Bar.
Whether you're a law student, academic, historian, or simply curious about the rich legal and political heritage of Sri Lanka, this book offers:
 
Eye-opening accounts of landmark cases like Bracegirdle and Queen vs. Liyanage.
Insight into colonial legal systems and their transformation post-independence.
Rare stories of Burgher and Euro-Asian pioneers in law and governance.
A nuanced look at the legacies of the Jayewardenes, Senanayakes, and Bandaranaikes.
 
This is more than a legal history—it’s a story of courage, conflict, and the timeless quest for justice in the face of colonial and post-colonial power. With wit, scholarship, and rare insight, Ranjan Gooneratne brings to life the grand and often untold legacy of Sri Lanka’s legal and political journey.
 
Buy your copy now and step into the halls of Hulftsdorp, where law, liberty, and legacy converged.