History of the Courts

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HIGH COURT

The Courts Ordinance No.1 of 1889 established the Supreme Court, District Courts, Courts of Requests and Magistrate's Courts. The Supreme Court of Ceylon, under Section 19(a) of the Courts Ordinance exercised "original criminal jurisdiction for the inquiry into all crimes and offences, committed throughout Ceylon, and for the hearing, trying and determining all prosecutions and charges which shall be commenced, and all indictments and informations which shall be presented therein against any person for or in respect of any such crimes or offences, or alleged crimes or offences."

The jurisdiction was exercised either by a justice of the Supreme Court or by a Commissioner of Assize appointed under the provisions of the Courts Ordinance.

Vintage Law Books and Gavel

Foundational Law

Courts Ordinance No.1 of 1889

Established the initial court structure including the Supreme Court, District Courts, Courts of Requests and Magistrate's Courts.

Administration of justice Law (1973)

The Administration of justice Law No.44 of 1973 repealed the Courts Ordinance and established a High Court and the original criminal jurisdiction hitherto exercised by the Supreme Court was vested in the High Court. Thus High Court became the highest Court of original criminal jurisdiction.

Provincial High Court Structure High Court Establishment

Certification and Operation

The Administration of justice Law was certified by the Speaker on the 14th November 1973. From 1st January 1974 this Law has come into operation.

First High Court justice (January 1, 1974)

The following High Court justice have assumed duties on the 1st January 1974:

  • • Ratnapura - Justin Abeywardena
  • • Kalutara - I.G.N. de Jacolyn Seneviratne
  • • Badulla - Parinda Ranasinghe
  • • Jaffna - T.J.Rajaratnam
  • • Galle - C.N. de S.J.Goonewardena
  • • Matara - J.R.M.Perera
  • • Kurunegala - M.M.Abdul Cader
  • • Kandy - E.F. de Zilva
  • • Avissawella - J.F.A.Soza
  • • Colombo - P.Colin Thome
  • • Gampaha - H.A.G. de Silva
  • • Batticaloa - L.H. de Alwis
  • • Negombo - O.S.M.Seneviratne
  • • Anuradhapura - N.Devendra
  • • Kegalle - D.E.Dharmasekara
  • • Chilaw - A.A. de Silva