The Court of Appeal of Sri Lanka, commonly known as the Appeal Court, is the second most senior court in the Sri Lankan legal system, with only the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka above it. Established in 1971, under the Court of Appeal Act No. 44 of 1971, the Appeal Court has jurisdiction to hear appeals from the High Court or any lower court; its own decisions may be additionally appealed to the Supreme Court. The Appeal Court is headed by the President of the Court of Appeal.
Composition
The court consists of the President of the Court of Appeal along with six to nineteen other judges who are recommended for appointment by the President of Sri Lanka and approved by the parliamentary Council.
Judges can serve until the retirement age for judges, fixed by Constitution at 63 years.
Dress
Appeal Court judges wear dark purple gowns when attending court. On special ceremonial occasions (such as ceremonial sittings of the Appeal Court) they wear dark purple gowns, barrister's bands, mantle, and a long wig.