History of the Civil Appellate High Court

Strengthening the efficiency of the civil justice system in Sri Lanka.

Establishment of the Court

With the advent of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka which introduced Article 154P, the Provincial High Courts were established granting original criminal jurisdiction and writ jurisdiction[cite: 6]. Later the jurisdiction of the Provincial High Court was expanded by the High Court of Provinces (Special Provisions) Act No. 19 of 1990[cite: 6]. Subsequently, the High Court of Provinces (Special Provisions) (Amendment) Act No. 54 of 2006 was enacted to decentralize civil appeals from Colombo to reduce the backlog of cases in the Court of Appeal and provide local access for litigants[cite: 6].

As a result, the Provincial High Court of Civil Appeal Central Province Holden at Kandy was established on 08.01.2007[cite: 6]. His Lordship Justice Nalin J. Perera as he then was and Hon. Saman Wickrama Wickramarachchi, HCJ were the first sitting judges, out of whom His Lordship Justice Nalin J. Perera adorned the bench being the 46th Chief Justice of Sri Lanka[cite: 6].

Civil Appellate High Court Building

Historical Heritage & Milestone

08 January 2007

Established under Act No. 54 of 2006, continuing the heritage of justice symbolized by the historic Magul Maduwa[cite: 6].

A Specialized Forum for Adjudication

Establishment of the Civil Appeal High Court of Central Province Holden at Kandy further enhanced the historical background and the value of court system in the Central Province which has historical significance to the ancient system of administering justice symbolized by the proceedings held at historical 'Magul Maduwa' located at Sri Dalada Maligawa Kandy[cite: 6]. Further, Kandy is considered one of the regional cities where the Supreme Court of the Island of Ceylon established in 1801 by the Second Charter of Justice held circuit sessions[cite: 6].

Civil Appellate High Court Building

Commitment to Judicial Efficiency

The functioning of the Provincial High Court of Civil Appeal – Kandy is exclusively aimed at speedy and qualitative dispensation of justice, ensuring and safeguarding justice and upholding the Rule of Law through continuous commitment to dispose matters at its earliest[cite: 6].