An Analytical Study on the Role of Legal Deposit Law in Sri Lanka in Building a National Collection

Abstract

Legal Deposit Law is enforced in almost every country with the aim of establishing bibliographic control of publications in a particular country and the formation of a national collection associated with it. This research concern that the legal deposit law in Sri Lanka plays a sufficient role in building the national collection. The main purpose of this study is to study about role of the legal deposit law of Sri Lanka. Other objectives are to study the legal deposit law in Sri Lanka and its origin, to study the systematic development of the legal deposit law, to identify the composition of the legal deposit collection. In this case, qualitative research methodology has been used and the case study method has been used as a research method. The authority of the legal deposit law in the country is National Archives of Sri Lanka. Therefore, the function of the registration section of books and newspapers of the National Archives of Sri Lanka has been studied. Data were collected through ordinances related to the legal deposit law, legal statutes and statistical reports, observations and interviews. Data analysis was performed by reporting and summarizing. The legal deposit law of Sri Lanka places the responsibility of the publishing industry entirely on the printer. There are instances where printers did not provide copies. It is clear that a complete national collection will not be created by not giving copies. It was found that non-print media are not covered by the Legal Deposit Law. Accordingly, the objectives of the legal deposit law in Sri Lanka should be amended and re-interpreted. Also it should focus to legislate inclusion of non-print media for the coverage of publications under the Legal Deposit Law of Sri Lanka and to make provisions for the implementing of an electronic deposit collection.