SUSPENSION OF SITTINGS OF COURTS
I append a determination of the Honorable Chief Justice under Rule 62 ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) of the Supreme Court Rules 1978 .
I am also directed by The Hon . Chief Justice to draw your attention to Para ( 3 ) of the said Rules which reads as follows :
” During the period of suspension of sittings of Court of First Instance the Judge of that Court shall unless he has previously taken leave , be available at his station for the disposal of any urgent matters “.
Aravinda Gunaratne.
REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT
DETERMINATION UNDER RULE 62 ( 1 ) AND ( 2 ) OF THE SUPREME COURT
RULES 1978 ( SUSPENSION OF SITTINGS OF COURTS )
I hereby determine that : –
1. The date for the commencement of the first period of suspension of sittings of the Supreme Court , the Court of Appeal and the Courts of First Instance in the year 2025 will be on Monday 7th April 2025.
The ordinary sittings of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal will be resumed on Monday the 28th April 2025.
The ordinary sittings of the High Courts will be resumed on Wednesday 23rd April 2025 .
The ordinary sittings of the other Courts of First Instance will be resumed on Monday the 21st April 2025.
2 . The date for the commencement of the second period of suspension of sittings of the / Supreme Court , the Court of Appeal and the Courts of First Instance in the year 2025 will be on Monday the 11th August 2025.
The ordinary sittings of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal will be resumed on Monday the 25th August 2025.
The ordinary sittings of the High Courts will be resumed on Wednesday 20th August 2025.
The ordinary sittings of the other Courts of First Instance will be resumed on Monday the 18th August 2025.
3 . The date for the commencement of the third period of suspension of sittings of the Supreme Court , the Court of Appeal and the Court of First Instance in the year 2025 will be on Monday the 22nd December 2025.
The ordinary sittings of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal will be resumed on Monday the 12th January 2026.
The ordinary sittings of the High Courts will be resumed on Wednesday the 07th January 2026.
The ordinary sittings of the other Courts of First Instance will be resumed on Monday the 05th January 2026.
In the event first day of court sitting falls on a Public Holiday the ordinary sittings of the Courts will be resumed on the Next Day.
30th April 2024.
Sgd./ Jayantha Jayasuriya PC
CHIEF JUSTICE