History of the High Court Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya High Court

The Nuwara Eliya High Court is located in the Center of Nuwara Eliya City, at an altitude of over 6000 ft. above sea level. The Court was established in 2009 and was officially declared open on the 31st of May, 2009 by Hon. Sarath N. Silva, the then Chief Justice. The Court commenced its operations on 10th of October, 2009.

The First High Court Judge appointed to the Nuwara Eliya High Court was Hon. Mrs. P. Wickramasinha, while the first State Counsel representing the Attorney General's Department was Hon. Navarathna Marasinghe, who currently serves as a High Court Judge in Colombo. On its very first day of operation, the Court commenced its work by hearing three criminal trials and two bail applications.

The principal objective of establishing the Court was to provide accessible and effective Judicial Services to the Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Christian communities, as well as to foreigners residing in the area, which is distinguished by its unique climate and rich cultural heritage.

Since, its establishment, 14 High Court Judges have served at the Nuwara Eliya High Court, contributing to the administration of justice and the protection of the rights of the people.

Court Room

* Structure and Administration

During its early years, the administrative work of the Court was carried out by its first Registrar, together with 05 Clerks and 06 members of the junior staff.

The Nuwara Eliya High Court currently consists of two chambers for High Court Judges, One Chamber for State Counsel, One Court Room, a Registrar's Office, a Record Room and a Production Room.

* Jurisdiction and Legal Role

Before the establishment of the Nuwara Eliya High Court, cases pertaining to the Nuwara Eliya Judicial area were handled by the Kandy High Court. Consequently, the people of Nuwara Eliya had to travel to Kandy to attend Court hearings, which often involved considerable time, expense and inconvenience.

From October 2010 onwards, the Nuwara Eliya High Court began functioning as an Independent Court after being granted financial management powers within its jurisdiction. Within its jurisdiction, it now oversees One District Court, One Magistrates' Court, Two District/Magistrate Courts and three Labour Tribunal Courts dealing with both Civil and Criminal cases. Administrative and judicial supervision relating to these Courts is carried out by the Nuwara Eliya High Court.

The establishment of the High Court brought significant relief to the people of Nuwara Eliya and the surrounding areas. It brought judicial services closer to the community, reduced the need to travel to Kandy and contributed to the timely administration of justice. It also helps to reduce the backlog of cases and improve access to justice for the people of the region.

* Court Environment and Public Service

The Nuwara Eliya High Court is committed not only to the administration of justice but also to maintaining a welcoming and dignified environment for all who visit the Court. The Court building and surrounding areas are adorned with a variety of flowers, reflecting Nuwara Eliya's distinctive identity as the 'City of Flowers'.

As part of this initiative, the Nuwara Eliya High Court participated in the National Programme 'April Bloom 2026'. Through this programme, government institutions in Nuwara Eliya decorated their premises to enhance the beauty of the city during the April Seasons. In recognition of these efforts, the Court was awarded Second Runner – up in the Government Sector in the competition.

These efforts reflect the Court's belief that a Court is more than a place where legal proceedings take place. It is also public institution that forms an integral part of the community it serves. By maintaining a pleasant and welcoming environment, the Court seeks to ensure that every persons who enters its premises is treated with dignity, respect and consideration.

* 17 Years of Dedicated Service

As of 2026, the Nuwara Eliya High Court has completed 17 years of dedicated service to the people. Throughout this period, it has played an important role in strengthening the Judicial System in the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka.

The Court has handled 1000 of cases and has made a significant contribution to maintaining law and order in the District. The dedication of successive Judges, Lawyers and members of the Court staff has enabled the Court to continue functioning effectively despite the distinctive challenges associated with its location ina hilly region.

The establishment of the Nuwara Eliya High Court demonstrates how bringing judicial services closer to the people can strengthen access to justice. By decentralising judicial services, the Court has helped make it easier for citizens to access the legal system and exercise their rights.

The Court's 17 year journey is also a testament to the dedication and collective efforts of the Judges, State Counsel, lawyers and Court Staff who have contributed to its service to the people. Their commitment continues to strengthen public confidence in the administration of justice and uphold the rule of law within the community.

* Looking Ahead

As the Nuwara Eliya High Court looks towards the future, it remains firmly committed to its fundamental mission of administering justice fairly, impartially and efficiently.

With the continued dedication of its Judge Hon. Mr. R.B.M. Daminda R. Weligodapitiya, Registrar Mrs. U.K. Duwearachchi and the entire staff together with the State Counsel, Lawyers the Court will strive to strengthen public confidence, enhance access to justice and serve the people of Nuwara Eliya with dignity, integrity and respect. Therefore, currently, as part of the digitalization of the Judicial System aim at the convenience of litigants, evidence is being presented via Video Technology.

The history of the Nuwara Eliya High Court is ultimately a story of service, commitment and the continuing pursuit of justice. As it moves forward, the Court remains dedicated to ensuring that every person who comes through its doors has meaningful access to justice and is treated with dignity and respect.