Abstract:
A Resuscitation Plan is a medically authorised order to use or withhold resuscitation
interventions. Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) order concepts are widely used in healthcare systems
in developed countries to assist in the delivery of high-quality care, particularly for individuals
who are at the end of life and for whom palliative approaches, rather than aggressive medical
care, are most appropriate. These orders uphold patient autonomy, ensuring that medical
interventions align with individual values and preferences. The existing laws relating to DNR
orders in Sri Lanka seem to be incomplete and perhaps lacking comprehensive provisions.
The main objective of this research is to explore the current legal state of DNR orders in Sri
Lanka and gain insights for a comprehensive legal framework, through a comparative legal
analysis with the well-established legal frameworks in the United Kingdom (UK) and Australia.
For this purpose, the following aspects are addressed in this paper: (i) the legal and ethical
challenges related to DNR orders in Sri Lanka; (ii) legal frameworks for DNR orders in the UK
and Australia compared to those in Sri Lanka; and, (iii) evidence-based recommendations for
developing a robust and ethically sound framework for DNR orders in Sri Lanka. This research
employs a qualitative methodology, focusing on the comparative analysis of legal and ethical
frameworks. The study involves a thorough review of relevant literature, legal documents,
guidelines, and policies from Sri Lanka, the UK, and Australia. Comparative legal analysis ...
