History of the Avissawella Magistrate's Court

Serving Avissawella and its surrounding communities since its establishment in 1974.

Evolution of the Avissawella Magistrate's Court

The Magistrate's Court of Avissawella stands as a pivotal judicial institution in the Colombo District, serving as a primary court of first instance dedicated to the administration of criminal justice and public order within its judicial division.

As an integral branch of Sri Lanka's lower judiciary, the court is presided over by a Magistrate vested with original criminal jurisdiction to handle summary trials, preliminary inquiries, statutory offenses, and local police matters.

King George III - Royal Charter of Judge of 1801

Legal Foundations & Establishment

While lower criminal courts in Sri Lanka historically functioned under the nomenclature of Police Magistrate's Courts during the 19th and early 20th centuries, the judicial framework of the island underwent comprehensive modernization through subsequent legislative enactments.

Establishment in 1974: The Magistrate's Court of Avissawella was formally established in 1974, marking a critical expansion of localized judicial access for the residents of the Avissawella region and surrounding areas within the Colombo District.

Judicature Act, No. 2 of 1978: Following the national judicial reforms, the court was formally re-constituted under the Judicature Act, No. 2 of 1978, which standardized magistrate courts across all judicial divisions in Sri Lanka.

Judicial Leadership & Heritage

The First Magistrate
The foundational judicial administration of the Avissawella Magistrate's Court commenced under the tenure of its distinguished inaugural Magistrate:

Hon. B. M. F. Ekanayake
First Magistrate of the Avissawella Magistrate's Court (Appointed 1974) Under the leadership of Hon. B.M.F. Ekanayake, the court established its initial operational standards, procedural decorum, and public service protocols that set the precedent for decades to follow.

Role & Contemporary Jurisdiction

Today, the Magistrate's Court of Avissawella plays a vital role in the administration of justice for the local community by executing its legal mandate under the Code of Criminal Procedure Act and related statutes.