In Sri Lanka, the PDVA primarily governs domestic violence. Section 23 of the PDVA defines domestic violence as physical or emotional abuse/harm done by a spouse, ex-spouse or cohabiting partner.^[9]

Emotional abuse means a pattern of cruel, inhuman, degrading or humiliating conduct of a serious nature.

Under Sections 10-13 of the PDVA, there are two types of protection orders: an interim protection order (valid for 14 days) and a protection order (valid for 12 months). Both prohibit perpetrators from committing acts of domestic violence.

The court can prohibit a perpetrator from: (i) entering the victim's residence (including shared and temporary residences), place of employment and school; (ii) occupying a shared residence; (iii) preventing the victim from entering or remaining in their residence; (iv) having contact with the victim's child (or granting conditional contact); (v) preventing the victim from accessing shared resources; (vi) contacting the victim; (vii) committing violence against anyone assisting the victim; (viii) following the victim; (ix) selling or making other financial arrangements regarding the family home; and (x) other detrimental conduct toward the victim.

Supplementary orders can be used: (i) to seize the perpetrator's weapons; (ii) for police to accompany the victim to collect their personal property; (iii) to order the perpetrator/victim to go to counseling/rehab sessions; (iv) to place the victim in confidential temporary accommodation; (v) to monitor and report to the court on how the order is being complied with; (vi) to order the perpetrator to provide urgent financial support for someone they are responsible for; and (vii) to financially support the victim's residence.