Attorney-at-Law Jagath Abeynayake has urged the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) to take action against recent statements targeting the incumbent Chief Justice, warning that such remarks could undermine public confidence in the judiciary.

In a letter addressed to the BASL President, Abeynayake said recent statements made while using parliamentary privileges and allegedly targeting the Chief Justice personally were a matter of serious concern.

The letter comes amid an ongoing debate over the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill, which seek to increase the retirement age of judges by two years.

The proposed legislation has been gazetted, and any party has the opportunity to challenge its constitutionality before the Supreme Court within 14 days of its inclusion in the Parliament Order Paper.

Abeynayake said some members of the BASL had expressed political views portraying the proposed amendments as a move intended to extend the tenure of the incumbent Chief Justice, describing such claims as misleading the public and the Maha Sangha.

While noting that different parties have expressed differing views on the proposed amendments, he said the BASL leadership had adopted a position in support of the proposed changes.

However, Abeynayake stressed that his criticism was not directed at the Chief Justice personally, but at what he described as the BASL’s failure to respond to recent statements targeting the Chief Justice.

He said that if similar statements targeting a sitting judge were made in any other circumstances, the BASL would be expected to regard them as a serious attack on the judiciary and the legal profession and publicly express its opposition.

Abeynayake questioned why the BASL had not responded to the recent statements targeting the incumbent Chief Justice, saying its silence could create a public perception that the association endorsed or tacitly agreed with the remarks.

He stressed that the BASL has a longstanding responsibility to provide support, protection and assistance to its members and judicial officers when necessary, while maintaining impartiality and safeguarding the independence of the judiciary.

He also said that where defamatory statements against a judge could affect the administration of justice, the BASL should intervene publicly in defence of the judge and judicial independence.

Against this backdrop, Abeynayake urged the BASL President to take appropriate action regarding the recent statements and their alleged impact on the incumbent Chief Justice, the Supreme Court and the judiciary.

He further called on the BASL to maintain professionalism while expressing its views on the proposed extension of judges’ retirement ages and other matters concerning the judiciary.

Abeynayake warned that allowing political differences or personal opinions among BASL members to influence the association’s public position could damage the reputation and dignity of the organisation.

He concluded by requesting an opportunity to discuss the matter with the BASL Executive Committee. (Newswire)

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A Sri Lankan delegation led by Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena has briefed Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha on their recent knowledge exchange programme in India, highlighting judicial cooperation and shared experiences.

According to the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, the programme from 8-12 December 2025 for 10 Apex Court Judges of Sri Lanka was organized by the Supreme Court of India, New Delhi and National Judicial Academy (NJA), Bhopal.

At a de-briefing session held at the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka yesterday (18), the Justices shared their experiences and take-aways from the programme with Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha, and expressed gratitude to the Government of India and the Indian Judiciary for the initiative.

The programme was divided into two parts: a 3-day module at NJA Bhopal, followed by 2 days in New Delhi. The Bhopal leg saw exchanges and interactions of the Sri Lankan Justices with Indian counterparts, resource persons and technical experts on various themes such as Constitutional interpretation, climate justice and environment protection, transforming justice delivery with advent of new technologies, emerging trends in human rights and international legal obligations, media and public perception of justice, among others.

The New Delhi leg included interactions with the Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, and Justices of the Supreme Court, as well as Attorney General for India R. Venkataramani and Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta; participation in court proceedings in the Chief Justice of India’s Court; briefing on e-initiatives of the Supreme Court of India and e-filing, and visit to the Delhi High Court.

The exchange programme was organized as part of ongoing cooperation between India and Sri Lanka in the field of capacity development, deepened by the announcement by Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, made during his State visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025, of 700 additional customized slots annually for Sri Lankan professionals. (Newswire)

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Supreme Court Justice S. Thurairaja was sworn in as the Acting Chief Justice before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat today (07).

The appointment was made due to the overseas travel of Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena. 

Justice S. Thurairaja will serve as the Acting Chief Justice until Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena’s return to the country. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has nominated Supreme Court Justice Preethi Padman Surasena to be the next Chief Justice of Sri Lanka, pending approval from the Constitutional Council, which is scheduled to meet on Wednesday (July 23)

Current Chief Justice Murdu Fernando is due to retire on July 27, with a formal farewell speech planned before the Supreme Court on July 25.

Justice Surasena, one of the most senior judges on the Supreme Court bench, previously served as a member of the Judicial Service Commission.

He has presided over several high-profile cases and currently chairs the special parliamentary committee investigating misconduct allegations against IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon. (Newswire)

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Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai has expressed concern over judges accepting government appointments, often sinecures or joining politics, sometimes contesting elections soon after retirement. 

He spoke of how such practices undermine public confidence in the judiciary.

Speaking at a roundtable discussion at the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, CJI Gavai observed that post-retirement posts that align former judges completely with the government of the day “can create a perception that judicial decisions were influenced by expectations of future political or governmental roles.”

CJI Gavai said that he and many of his colleagues have publicly pledged not to accept any post-retirement roles or positions. “This commitment is an effort to preserve the credibility and independence of the judiciary,”the CJI added, speaking on “Maintaining Judicial Legitimacy and Public Confidence”. (TheWire)

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The Sri Lanka Buddhist Lawyers Association has extended its wishes to Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai on his appointment as the 51st Chief Justice of India and the first Buddhist to assume the highest judicial office in India. 

“Your unwavering commitment to equity, wisdom, and compassion and working for the welfare of all sentient beings through the dispensation of fair and enlightened justice echoes the teachings of the Buddha,” the Association said, in a letter addressed to the Indian Chief Justice.

The Sri Lanka Buddhist Lawyers Association further said, “In these times of complexity, may your leadership inspire not only Bharat but the wider region in reaffirming the foundational values of justice, tolerance, and universal fraternity.” (Newswire)

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Supreme Court Justice Murdu Nirupa Bidushinie Fernando has been appointed the Acting Chief Justice of Sri Lanka. 

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), Murdu Fernando took oaths as the Acting Chief Justice before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today. 

The oath ceremony took place at the Presidential Secretariat, the PMD added. (Newswire)

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Awami Tehreek leaders on Tuesday demanded Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faiz Isa, immediately take a suo motu notice of serious violations of human rights in Sindh and urged him to play a pivotal role in restoring peace to the crime-ridden province.

In a joint press statement, AT central president Lal Jarwar and party leaders Sajid Hussain Mahesar, Vasand Thari, Asif Khoso and Mehran Sindhi, said that Sindh was facing a serious breakdown of law and order with brutality reigning supreme throughout the region.

They said that Sindh was being ruled by dacoits instead of constitutional principles and rule of law. Police and feudal lords, who aided and harboured dacoits, should be brought to justice, they said.

They pointed out that Sindh had become a safe haven for dacoits, who had established a state within a state where they ruled without fear of law and challenged writ of police.

They said that Sindh Police had failed in its duty to establish peace in the province and called for immediate resignation of IGP Sindh.

Peace in Sindh could not be restored until action had been taken against facilitators of the dacoits, they said. (Dawn)

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