This was a descriptive cross-sectional study which analysed the consent forms submitted to the ethics review committee at the faculty of medicine of the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, between January 2007 and December 2008. Of the 145 consent forms reviewed, 94.5% (137) explained the purpose of the study, 77% (111) included a statement that participation was voluntary, 44% (64) stated that refusal of participation did not affect care, 65.5% (95) mentioned the ability to withdraw consent at any time, 79% (115) that confidentiality of records would be maintained and 45.5% (66) that further clarifications were possible.