Sri Lanka - Judicial system



Civil law is based on Roman-Dutch law introduced during the period of Dutch rule, but in the area around Kandy, an indigenous type of law prevails. Criminal law is British. Tamils and Muslims have their own laws governing property disposition and certain observances. Sri Lanka's judicial system includes district courts, magistrates' courts, courts of request (restricted to civil cases), and rural courts.

In criminal cases, the Supreme Court (composed of a chief justice and from 6 to 10 associate justices, all appointed by the president) has appellate jurisdiction. Under the 1978 constitution, the other high-level courts are the Court of Appeal, High Court, and courts of first instance. The president also appoints judges to the Court of Appeals and the High Court. A judicial service commission appoints transfers and dismisses lower court judges. Sinhala is the official language of the courts.

The constitution declares the independence of the judiciary and the courts appear to be independent in practice.

Defendants are guaranteed a number of procedural due process protections but trials under the Emergency Regulations (ER) and the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) lack significant procedural safeguards.

User Contributions:

1
Dulip Srinath
Good introduction about the Srilankan courts,really appriciate.
2
sofia
I apreciade the article! It's absolutely great. thank you!!!
i'm a political science teacher.i want to Know about srilanka"s courts.please let me know about it
i`m student.i want to know about the courts conducting in Sri Lanka.
i`m student.i want to know about the courts conducting in Sri Lanka.
6
RASLAN
Iam a student , i have to know for my examination at university . it will help for me my graduate studies.
As a student of LLB this information is absolutely super introduction for me as well as for people who are really interested in k
nowing about the SL judicial system.
8
Sithija
Pls let me know about the Baththaramulla courts for children
9
Robin
i`m student. i want to know about the courts system and how they are conducting in Sri Lanka. please provide the details

Comment about this article, ask questions, or add new information about this topic: