Part of Colombo High Court building collapses, disrupting court proceedings

The collapse of part of a historic courthouse building disrupted proceedings at Colombo’s High Court and District Court.

The affected section housed judges’ chambers, the District Court archive and several offices. Court officials said the premises had become highly unsafe, forcing court work to be interrupted.

The building is believed to date from the Dutch colonial period. It has brick construction and timber floors, with judges’ chambers and other court offices operating inside. Repairs had been under way, including work on plaster covering the brick pillars.

Court officials said the repairs were being carried out without authorization from the Department of Archaeology. They also warned that the remaining walls were cracked and leaning, making work at the site dangerous.

Officials said the collapse could have seriously harmed judges, court employees and the many people attending proceedings had it occurred during court operations. Ministry of Justice officials and others visited the building after the collapse to inspect the affected area.