Archive · 28 Oct 2025
Sri Lanka Converts Former Presidential Homes into High Courts
Imagine a country has too many people waiting for a judge to hear their case, like a long line at an amusement park.
To make the line shorter and faster, the government decided to build new places where judges can work.
They found some big houses that used to belong to past presidents and decided to turn those houses into new courtrooms.
This way, more cases can be heard at the same time, and people will get their answers, or justice, more quickly.
The government also recently decided to take away some special benefits, like these houses, from former presidents to save money and use resources better for everyone.
Sri Lanka will establish four new High Courts to expedite a backlog of cases.
These courts will be set up in state bungalows vacated by former presidents.
The government recently enacted a law to strip former presidents of certain privileges, including state-provided bungalows.
The proposal to convert four bungalows in Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo, into High Courts has been approved by the cabinet.
The initiative aims to address infrastructure limitations that have delayed legal proceedings, particularly those related to corruption and abuses.
- Who
- Sri Lankan government
- What
- Establishment of four new High Courts by converting state bungalows previously occupied by former presidents.
- When
- Tuesday (announcement); law enacted mid-September.
- Where
- Colombo, Sri Lanka (specifically Cinnamon Gardens)
- Why
- To tackle the backlog of cases and expedite legal proceedings.
- Number of New High Courts
- 4
- Location of New High Courts
- Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo
- Reason for Establishment
- To address case backlog and expedite legal proceedings.
- Source of Buildings
- State bungalows vacated by former presidents.
- Privilege Removal Law Enacted
- Mid-September