History of the Homagama Judicial Court Complex

Tracing the Establishment and Development of the Homagama Court Premises

History of the Homagama Judicial Court Complex

The old Homagama Judicial Court Complex was located on current land that was once the Homagama court premises. On 20.03.1970, the Homagama Magistrate's Court was established there.

At its inception, the Homagama, Athurugiriya, Padukka (part), Hanwella (part), Navagamuwa, Kahathuduwa, and Maharagama Police Stations were under the jurisdiction of the Homagama Magistrate's Court for criminal cases. Over the years, as newer courts were established, specific police divisions were reassigned. The Maharagama Police Division was brought under the Nugegoda Magistrate's Court, the Kahathuduwa Police Division under the Kesbewa Magistrate's Court, and the Navagamuwa Police Division under the Kaduwela Magistrate's Court.

Homagama Court Room

1973 – Establishment of the District Court

In 1973, the Homagama District Court was also established in the same premises. At its inception, it functioned as a combined District/Magistrate's Court. During that period, the same judge served as both the Magistrate and the District Judge.

1987 to 1990 – Civil Unrest and Relocation

In July 1987, during the civil unrest, the court building was completely destroyed by fire. Following that, the Homagama Magistrate's Court Complex was temporarily relocated to Aluthkade magistrate court. Later, it was moved to a child detention centre in Kottawa, and judicial proceedings were held there until 1989. After the court building was renovated, the Homagama Court premises recommenced operations in 1990.

1992 to 1993 – Separation of Proceedings

In 1992, two Magistrate/District Judges were appointed in addition to the existing one. They handled criminal and civil cases separately. In 1993, the Homagama Magistrate's Court and the District Court were separated and began functioning within the same court premises. The Magistrate's Court operated in the main hall and the adjoining production room was enlarged and the District Court conducted there.

2008 to 2016 – The New Judicial Complex

In 2008, a proposal was made to construct a new judicial complex in Homagama, and construction of the 4-story new court building located within the Homagama Court premises commenced in 2014. Until that time, the Homagama Courts was moved to a new 3-story private building located near the Homagama pola junction. Both courts were housed there and functioned separately in different halls. On 04.01.2016, the 4-story new building of the current Homagama Judicial Complex was officially opened. With its opening, the Homagama District Court and the Magistrate's Court commenced operations in the new court building.

2017 – High Court Additions

The labour Tribunal which had been operating in a rented building at Pannipitiya was also relocated to the new building. Thereafter, at the beginning of 2017, the Homagama and Kaduwela judicial Zones were amalgamated and a new high court Zone was established by gazette notification. Accordingly, the second floor of the new court building was allocated for the new Homagama High Court in that same year. At the end of 2017, the Homagama civil Appellate High Court Commenced operations on the third floor of the new court building.