History of the District Court Hambantota

The History of the District Court Hambantota

Location & Surroundings: The Hambantota District/Magistrate's Court is situated on the Hambantota-Tissamaharama Road, approximately 750 meters from Hambantota town. Just beyond the court lies the historic Hambantota salt saltern, a site renowned since ancient times. The administrative complex and the new hospital complex are located 5 kilometers away, while the Hambantota Port is situated at a distance of 6 kilometers.

Early Beginnings: The judicial process in the Hambantota District was initiated by the British rulers as early as 1834–1835, operating as a section of the Hambantota Kachcheri itself. It is said that the prison was also established in the immediate vicinity during this early period.

Hambantota Court Room

1. The Leonard Woolf Era (1908–1911)

More reliable written evidence dates back to the tenure of Leonard Woolf—a renowned administrator and celebrated author—who served as the Assistant Government Agent for the Hambantota District from 1908 to 1911. During this period, he also functioned as the Magistrate of the Hambantota District, presiding over both civil and criminal cases.

  • The "Agent's Tamarind Tree": Local lore holds that Mr. Leonard Woolf presided over court cases while traveling through the area. A large tamarind tree still stands in the Meegahajadura area of Suriyawewa, known to locals as the tree beneath which the Agent used to hear cases.
  • Heritage Sites: The gallows from that era remain preserved as a heritage site near the official residence of the Hambantota District Secretary. Additionally, the old courthouse building still stands—though in a state of dilapidation—opposite the Hambantota Museum.

2. Modern Court Operations

  • New Infrastructure: Judicial proceedings at the current Hambantota District/Magistrate's Court—constructed along the Matara-Tissamaharama main road—commenced around the year 2003.
  • Combined Operations: Currently, the District Court and the Magistrate's Court do not operate as separate entities. Instead, a single judge presides in the same courtroom, hearing civil cases on Mondays and Tuesdays, and criminal cases on the remaining days of the week.

3. Jurisdiction and Caseload

  • Territorial Reach: The judicial division currently served by the court spans 77 Grama Niladhari Divisions.
  • Case Volume: The court handles a large volume of cases daily, including those originating from the Hambantota, Ambalantota, Suriyawewa, Hambantota Port, and Mattala police stations, as well as cases filed by various government departments.
  • Pending Cases: As of the end of June 2026, there are 1,581 civil cases and 4,992 criminal cases pending resolution.

4. Administration and Staffing

  • Judicial Service: According to the compiled list of judges, twenty-two judges have served in the court from 1979 to the present day.
  • Court Staff: Currently, a dedicated staff of 56 personnel, including two registrars, performs various duties in support of the Honourable Judge in the administration of justice.