History of the District Court Homagama

The History of the District Court Homagama

Early Establishment: 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.

Jurisdictional Changes: Later, as new courts were established, certain areas were transferred. When the Nugegoda Magistrate's Court was established, the Maharagama Police Division was brought under it. When the Kesbewa Magistrate's Court was established, the Kahathuduwa Police Division was brought under it. And when the Kaduwela Magistrate's Court was established, the Navagamuwa Police Division was brought under it.

District Court Formation: 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.

Homagama Court Room

Destruction and Temporary Relocation

  • Fire Incident: In July 1987, during the civil unrest, the court building was completely destroyed by fire.
  • Temporary Relocation: Following the fire, the Homagama Magistrate's Court Complex was temporarily relocated to the Aluthkade magistrate court.
  • Later Relocation: It was later moved to a child detention centre in Kottawa, where judicial proceedings were held until 1989. After the court building was renovated, the Homagama Court premises recommenced operations in 1990.

Separation and Expansion

  • Judicial Appointments: In 1992, two Magistrate/District Judges were appointed in addition to the existing one, handling criminal and civil cases separately.
  • Court Separation: 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 for the District Court.

Modern Infrastructure & New Building

  • Proposal & Construction: In 2008, a proposal was made to construct a new judicial complex in Homagama, and construction began in 2014. The 4-story new court building was constructed within the Homagama Court premises.
  • Interim Location: Until the new building was ready, the Homagama Courts were temporarily moved to a new 3-story private building located near the Homagama Pola junction, where the District Court and Magistrate's Court functioned separately in different halls.
  • Official Opening: On 04.01.2016, the 4-story new building of the current Homagama Judicial Complex was officially opened. The District Court and Magistrate's Court commenced operations in the new building.
  • Labour Tribunal: The Labour Tribunal, which had been operating in a rented building at Pannipitiya, was also relocated to the new building.

Establishment of the High Court

  • Zone Amalgamation: At the beginning of 2017, the Homagama and Kaduwela judicial zones were amalgamated, and a new High Court Zone was established by gazette notification.
  • High Court Commencement: The second floor of the new court building was allocated for the new Homagama High Court that same year.
  • Civil Appellate High Court: At the end of 2017, the Homagama Civil Appellate High Court commenced operations on the third floor of the new court building.