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Judiciary of Sri Lanka - wikipedia Judiciary of Sri Lanka Sri Lanka This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Sri Lanka Constitution ( show ) Previous constitutions : 1931 1947 Law of Sri Lanka Human rights Law enforcement Government ( show ) Executive President ( List ) : Maithripala Sirisena Prime Minister ( List ) : Ranil Wickremesinghe Cabinet : 15th cabinet Ministries Legislature Parliament Speaker Deputy Speaker Leader of the House Leader of the Opposition Judiciary Constitutional Council Supreme Court Chief Justice : Priyasath Dep Court of Appeal High Courts District Courts Magistrate 's Courts Primary Courts Labour Tribunal Elections ( show ) Elections Political parties Last election Next election Administrative geography ( show ) Provinces Districts Municipalities Wards Grama Niladhari divisions Foreign policy ( show ) Foreign relations Related issues ( show ) Civil War Sri Lanka Portal Other countries Atlas The Judiciary of Sri Lanka are the civil and criminal courts responsible for the administration of justice in Sri Lanka . The Constitution of Sri Lanka defines courts as independent institutions within the traditional framework of checks and balances . They apply Sri Lankan Law which is an amalgam of English common law , Roman - Dutch civil law and Customary Law ; and are established under the Judicature Act No 02 of 1978 of the Parliament of Sri Lanka . The judiciary consist of the Supreme Court , the Court of Appeal , the High Court , the District Court , the Magistrate 's Court , Primary Court . Although provisions are there for trials for serious offences to be held before a jury , at present all cases are heard before professional judges . Contents ( hide ) 1 Introduction 2 Courts 2.1 Supreme Court 2.2 Court of Appeal 2.3 High Courts 2.4 District Courts 2.5 First Instance Courts 2.5. 1 Magistrate 's Courts 2.5. 2 Primary Courts 2.5. 3 Labor Courts 3 Other courts and tribunals 3.1 Military courts 3.2 Coroners ' courts 4 Judges 4.1 Appointment 4.2 Tenure 4.3 Dress 4.4 Salary 4.5 Entitlements 5 International relationships 5.1 Relationship with the International Criminal Court 6 Former Courts 7 See also 8 References 9 External links Introduction ( edit ) The Supreme Court Complex Main article : Law of Sri Lanka The current system of courts are defined by the Judicature Act No 02 of 1978 . However , the modern form of European form of justice originated during the Dutch colonial occupation of the coastal areas of Sri Lanka in the nineteenth century . Local forms of civil and criminal law as well as system of courts , existed for centuries prior to the European colonization . Courts ( edit ) Supreme Court ( edit ) Main article : Supreme Court of Sri Lanka The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka is the highest judicial instance and final court of appeal . It is composed of the Chief Justice and not less than six and not more than ten Puisne Justices . Judges are appointed by the President with the nomination of the Parliamentary Council and serve for a lifetime period ( 65 ) . The Supreme Court is the final appellate Court and has jurisdiction in constitutional . Court of Appeal ( edit ) Main article : Court of Appeal of Sri Lanka The Court of Appeal hears all appeals from the High Court and courts of first instance . The court is composed of the President of the Court and not less than six and not more than eleven other Judges . High courts ( edit ) Main article : High Court of Sri Lanka The High Court is the only court in the island which exercises the jurisdiction of the court of first instance and the appellate jurisdiction with both civil and criminal jurisdiction . District courts ( edit ) Main article : District Courts of Sri Lanka District Courts are lower courts , headed by a District Judge who is vested with original civil jurisdiction . First instance courts ( edit ) Magistrate 's courts ( edit ) Main article : Magistrate 's Courts of Sri Lanka Magistrate 's Courts are lower court headed by a Magistrate who is vested with original criminal jurisdiction . Primary courts ( edit ) Main article : Primary Courts of Sri Lanka The Primary Courts in are lower courts and are the courts of first instance . Labor courts ( edit ) Main article : Labour Tribunal Labour Tribunals are tribunals formed under the Industrial Disputes Act No. 62 of 1957 , to handle labour disputes and termination of employment . Other courts and tribunals ( edit ) Military courts ( edit ) Military courts in Sri Lanka are court martials ( the General Court Martial , Field General Court Martial and District Court Martial ) convened under the Army Act , the Navy Act or the Air Force Act . Coroners ' courts ( edit ) The Ministry of Justice appoints Inquirers into Sudden Deaths under the Code of Criminal Procedure to carryout an inquest into the death of a sudden , unexpected and suspicious nature . Some large cities such as Colombo and Kandy have a City Coroners ' Court attached to the main city hospital , with a Coroner and Additional Coroner . Judges ( edit ) Appointment ( edit ) The Chief Justice and Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal are appointed by the President of Sri Lanka with the nomination of the Parliamentary Council . Judges of the High Court are appointed by the President on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission . However the President is not bound to accept the nomination of the Parliamentary Council or follow the advice of the Judicial Service Commission and may decide to appoint any other individual . Traditionally judges are Attorneys at law , while retired judges of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal does not practice law after retirement . Judicial appointments in the past have been thought to be politically motivated . Appointments to the lower courts such as District Courts and First Instance Courts are made by the Judicial Service Commission from the Judicial Service . The Minister of Justice appoints Unofficial magistrates from attorneys with fifteen years or more practice in a magistrate court to serve as the acting magistrate in the absence of the local magistrate . The Minister may appoint lay persons as Justice of the Peace , traditionally empowered to mediate disputes and keep the peace . Today the powers of the position is limited to administer oaths , affirmations and attesting documents . Tenure ( edit ) Judges can serve until the retirement age for the judges fixed at 65 years , as per the Constitution . Dress ( edit ) Supreme Court judges wear scarlet gowns when attending court . On special ceremonial occasions ( such as ceremonial sittings of the Supreme Court ) they would wear scarlet gown , barrister 's bands and mantle and a long wig . Appeal Court judges wear dark purple gowns when attending court . On special ceremonial occasions ( such as ceremonial sittings of the Appeal Court ) they would wear dark purple gown , barrister 's bands and mantle and a long wig . Salary ( edit ) All Judges are entitled to a salary and professional allowance paid by the Ministry of Justice and a government pension on retirement . High Court Judge - Rs 304,200 per month District Judge - Rs 269,300 per month Magistrate - Rs 112,500 per month Entitlements ( edit ) The Chief Justice , Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal ; and Judges of the High Court are entitled to an official vehicle ( or an allowance in place of such ) and police protection provided by the Judicial Security Division . Depending on their duty station High Court Judges , District Judges and Magistrates are issued official residence or an allowance in place of such . International relationships ( edit ) Relationship with the International criminal Court ( edit ) The Sri Lankan Government has stated that it has no intention of joining the International Criminal Court . This section needs expansion . You can help by adding to it . ( June 2008 ) Former courts ( edit ) Several forms of courts of law have been abolished or replaced over the years ; Judicial Committee of the Privy Council Criminal Justice Commission Commissioner of Assizes Commissioner of Requests Rural Court See also ( edit ) Government of Sri Lanka Law of Sri Lanka References ( edit ) ^ Jump up to : `` Judicial System of Sri Lanka '' . Commonwealth Governance . Retrieved 17 November 2013 . Jump up ^ `` COURTS AND CASES SRI LANKA '' . lexadin . Retrieved 17 November 2013 . Jump up ^ `` High Court of Sri Lanka '' . Jump up ^ `` Judicial Hierarchy '' . jsc.gov.lk . Retrieved 2017 - 10 - 20 . Jump up ^ Judicial Hierarchy Jump up ^ Labour Tribunal - Its creation and creator Jump up ^ `` High Court of the Provinces ( Special Provisions ) ACT '' . Jump up ^ Supreme Court holds Court Martial is a ' court ' in terms of Constitution Jump up ^ Judicial Appointment In Turmoil Jump up ^ SRI LANKA : JUDGES AND STATE LAW OFFICERS TO GET SUBSTANTIAL SALARY HIKES AND NEW ALLOWANCES Jump up ^ Sri Lanka will not join ICC : PM Jump up ^ Language Of The Courts Act ( No. 3 of 1961 ) - Sect 3 External links ( edit ) Ministry of Justice <Th_colspan="2"> Judiciary of Sri Lanka Highest court Supreme Court of Sri Lanka ( Chief Justice ) Appellate Courts Court of Appeal of Sri Lanka ( President ) High Courts High Courts of Sri Lanka ( List ) Regional courts District Courts of Sri Lanka ( List ) First Instance Courts Magistrate 's Courts of Sri Lanka ( List ) Primary Courts of Sri Lanka ( List ) Labor Courts Labour Tribunal <Th_colspan="2"> Judiciaries of Asia Sovereign states Afghanistan Armenia Azerbaijan Bahrain Bangladesh Bhutan Brunei Cambodia China Cyprus East Timor ( Timor - Leste ) Egypt Georgia India Indonesia Iran Iraq Israel Japan Jordan Kazakhstan North Korea South Korea Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Lebanon Malaysia Maldives Mongolia Myanmar Nepal Oman Pakistan Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Singapore Sri Lanka Syria Tajikistan Thailand Turkey Turkmenistan United Arab Emirates Uzbekistan Vietnam Yemen States with limited recognition Abkhazia Artsakh Northern Cyprus Palestine South Ossetia Taiwan Dependencies and other territories British Indian Ocean Territory Christmas Island Cocos ( Keeling ) Islands Hong Kong Macau <Th_colspan="2"> Sri Lanka topics Overviews Outline Index Bibliography Timeline Years 2018 History Periods Prehistory Early kingdoms period Anuradhapura period Polonnaruwa period Transitional period Crisis of the Sixteenth Century Kandyan period History of British Ceylon History of Sri Lanka ( 1948 -- present ) Epochs Mahavamsa Vijaya Tambapanni Upatissa Nuwara Anuradhapura Polonnaruwa Jaffna Dambadeniya Gampola Kotte Sitawaka Kandy Portuguese Ceylon Dutch Ceylon British Ceylon Kandyan Wars Uva Rebellion Matale rebellion Independence movement Dominion of Ceylon Civil War Topics Chronicles Ancient capitals Monarchs Demographic Economic Education Military Government Law Constitution Constitutional Council Executive President Executive Office Cabinet / Ministries Administrative Service National Security Council Law enforcement Judiciary Supreme Court Court of appeal High Courts District courts Magistrate 's Courts Primary Courts Labour Tribunal Legislature Parliament Prime Minister Office Speaker Deputy speaker and chairman of committees Deputy Chairman of Committees Leader of the House Leader of the Opposition Chief Government Whip Chief Opposition Whip Secretaries - General 15th Parliament Members National security Armed Forces Air Force Army Navy Coast Guard Intelligence State Intelligence Service Directorate of Military Intelligence Criminal Investigation Department Sri Lanka Police Service Politics Electoral districts Elections Foreign relations Parties Sri Lanka Freedom Party United National Party Scandals Provincial governments Local governments Geography Administrative divisions Provinces Districts Divisional Secretary 's Divisions Municipalities Cities Wards Grama Niladhari divisions Towns Ecoregions Environment Extreme points Islands Mountains Pidurutalagala Central Highlands Hanthana Mountain Range Knuckles Mountain Range National parks Protected areas Rivers Mahaweli Malvathu Kelani Kalu Gin Waterfalls Wildlife Economy Agriculture Banking Central Bank Communications Companies Energy Information Technology Public debt Research Rupee Stock Exchange Taxation Trade Transport Unemployment Industries Apparel Beer Cinnamon Coconut Coffee Gems Rice Rubber Sugar Tea Tourism Society Topics Birth Demographics Education Health Languages Sinhala Tamil Media People Public holidays Religion Social class Sport Culture Architecture Art Cinema Cuisine Dance Fashion Flag Folklore Literature Music National symbols Philosophy Radio Television Theatre World Heritage Sites Issues Capital punishment Crime Gender inequality Human rights Immigration International rankings LGBT history LGBT rights Poverty Terrorism <Td_colspan="2"> Book Portal WikiProject Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Judiciary_of_Sri_Lanka&oldid=841660679 '' Categories : Judiciary of Sri Lanka Government of Sri Lanka Sri Lankan law Hidden categories : Articles to be expanded from June 2008 All articles to be expanded Articles using small message boxes Talk Contents About Wikipedia Languages Add links This page was last edited on 17 May 2018 , at 06 : 29 ( UTC ) . 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