The Legal Draftsman's Department is one of the links of the Governments legislative machinery. It is mandated to draft principal and amending legislation and to draft and revise subsidiary legislation in order to facilitate the successful implementation of the Governments legislative programme. The Department is also called upon to express opinions with respect to draft legislation and subsidiary legislation and has also to co-ordinate with Parliament for the successful enactment of legislation drafted in conformity with the provisions of the Constitution.

The Legal Draftsman's Department consists of a team of 35 lawyers who are specialists in the drafting of legislation. The office of the Legal Draftsman had traditionally been located at Hulftsdorp within the precincts of the Courts of Justice. All legislation and subordinate legislation required by the Ministries and Departments in Sri Lanka is drafted by this Department.

In view of the Constitutional requirement to enact legislation in two national languages and also in English which is the link language, whilst ensuring efficiency and accuracy, draftsman of the Department usually work in teams of two or three. The instructions relating to a draft is allocated most senior Draftsman who takes responsibility for the work assigned and attends to the matter with the assistance of the juniors assigned for the task. Initially a preliminary draft is produced, which draft will be thoroughly discussed and amended to conform to the policy decision and then a final draft will be forwarded to the relevant Ministry. At the same time the draft is sent to the Attorney- General for him to certify the constitutionality of the draft amendment. The draft is then Gazetted as a Bill and sent to Parliament. Specialization is not (other than in respect of the Inland Revenue Acts) encouraged within the Department and any Draftsman should be able to deal with any subject assigned.

The passage of a Bill through Parliament is, until the point at which the Speaker issues his Certificate in respect thereof, governed by Standing Orders of Parliament. More details in Parliamentary Procedure for the passing of Legislation.