A knowledge exchange and orientation programme for 20 High Court Judges from Sri Lanka was conducted at the Indian National Judicial Academy (NJA), Bhopal, from August 10–14, 2026, according to the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka. 

The programme featured nine thematic sessions covering judicial function and decision‑making, leadership and strategic thinking, integrity and accountability in governance, technology use in courts and digital transformation, court and case management, pre‑trial procedures and plea agreements, commercial arbitration and ADR mechanisms, cybercrime and electronic evidence, as well as managing judicial stress and wellness.

The Indian High Commission noted that the initiative was designed following positive feedback from an earlier cohort of 20 Sri Lankan High Court Judges who attended a similar programme in December 2025.

The programme was organized under the enhanced capacity‑building framework announced by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his April 2025 State Visit to Sri Lanka, which provides 700 customized training slots annually for Sri Lankan professionals. 

With 300 civil service officers trained annually under an MoU between India’s National Centre for Good Governance and the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration, India’s expanded capacity‑building effort now benefits 1,000 Sri Lankans each year. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed 18 new High Court Judges.

The letters of appointment were formally handed over this afternoon (03) at the Presidential Secretariat by President Dissanayake.

Among those appointed are 17 Special Class Judicial Officers and a Senior State Counsel serving in the Attorney General’s Department have been appointed as High Court Judges.

These appointments were made by the President in accordance with Article 111 (2) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

The list of Newly Appointed High Court Judges:

o Mr. S.S.K. Vithana District Judge

o Mr. A.M.I.S. Attanayake District Judge

o Mr. A.M.M. Riyal District Judge

o Mr. D.P. Mudunkotuwa District Judge

o Mr. S.B.H.M.S. Herath Additional District Judge

o Mr. J. Kajanideepalan District Judge

o Mr. D.M.D.C. Bandara Senior Assistant Secretary, Judicial Service Commission

o Ms. H.M.B.R. Wijeratne Additional District Judge

o Mr. D.M.A. Seneviratne Additional District Judge

o Mr. A.A. Anandaraja Magistrate

o Mr. G.N. Perera District Judge

o Mr. A. Judeson District Judge

o Mrs. W.K.D.S. Weeratunga District Judge

o Mr. R.B.M.D.R. Weligodapitiya District Judge

o Ms. K.D.N.V. Lankapura Magistrate

o Mr. D.M.R.D. Dissanayake District Judge

o Mr. M.I.M. Rizvi District Judge

o Mrs. A. Jayalakshi de Silva Senior State Counsel

Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, was also present on this occasion. (Newswire)

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The Colombo High Court has issued an order to present a report regarding the Facebook posts of senior Sri Lankan journalists Poddala Jayantha and Sanath Balasooriya.

Colombo High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne issued the order after the Court Registrar informed him in writing of this. 

The senior journalists are reported to have made the Facebook posts on Colombo High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne regarding the indictments served on SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa over the controversial Krrish tower project.

The Court Registrar had informed the judge that the statements were considered contempt of court and requested a suitable order to be issued on the matter.

Responding to the request, the Colombo High Court Judge ordered a report to be submitted with the said Facebook statements, after which he would issue a suitable order. 

Senior Sri Lankan journalists Poddala Jayantha and Sanath Balasooriya currently reside overseas, after being abducted and assaulted during the Presidency of Mahinda Rajapaksa. (Newswire)

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The Colombo High Court has issued an order preventing the use of two luxury apartments in Colpetty purchased by Ramith Rambukwella, the son of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.

The said two luxury apartments in the Colpetty area have reportedly been purchased by Ramith Rambukwella for Rs. 80 million and Rs. 65 million. 

The Colombo High Court issued an order preventing the use of the two luxury apartments after considering a request by the Bribery Commission. (Newswire)

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Establishing a new Commercial High Court in Colombo has received Cabinet approval.

The government stated that achieving development goals requires taking the necessary steps to maintain a better investment environment in the country. 

Considering that situation, it has been identified the need for a new Commercial High Court to ensure expeditious disposal of the existing backlog of commercial matters, it said.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms to establish the said Commercial High Court at No.80, Justice Avenue, Colombo 12. (NewsWire) 

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The Kalutara High Court has sentenced to death eight persons over a murder reported 20 years ago.

The suspects were sentenced after being found guilty of killing a person by stabbing him with sharp weapons in 2003.

A resident of Kalil Place in Kalutara South had been stabbed to death by the suspects in March 2003.

Charges were filed against the suspects at the Kalutara High Court by the Attorney General. 

According to media reports, the suspects are residents of Kalutara aged between 43 and 59 years.

After a 20-year trial, the verdict on the case was issued by Kalutara High Court Judge Pradeep Abeyratne today. (NewsWire)

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The Judicial Service Association of Sri Lanka (JSA) has objected to the appointments of Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Tikiri Jayathilaka and another junior officer of the Attorney General’s Department as High Court justices. 

Issuing a statement, the JSA condemned President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s decision to approve the appointments despite concerns being raised in this regard.

The JSA stated that in a previous letter to the President, it had pointed out that the assuming of duties as the Deputy Secretary General of Parliament disqualified Tikiri Jayathilaka from resuming duties as a member of the judiciary at any future stage. 

The JSA warned at the time that the decision by the President to appoint Jayathilaka to the High Court was detrimental to the independence of the Judiciary, especially the independence of the judges of the trial courts.

Pertaining to the appointment of the other Officer of the Attorney General’s Department, the JSA pointed out that the said officer was a junior and the appointment was unfair to the judicial officers who are next in line in judicial seniority. 

The JSA said despite having requested the President to refrain from appointing Tikiri Jayathilaka and the junior officer of the Attorney General’s Department to the High Court, the appointments have been approved.

Stating that these appointments will result in the public losing faith in the Judiciary, the JSA added that it will also result in the failure of the judicial system. (NewsWire)

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The Judicial Service Association of Sri Lanka (JSA) has opposed the proposition to appoint Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Tikiri Jayathilaka and another officer of the Attorney General’s Department to the High Court. 

Issuing a statement, the JSA has expressed discontent over the proposal made by President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The JSA pointed out that the assuming of duties as the Deputy Secretary General of Parliament has resulted in Tikiri Jayathilaka being disqualified to reassume duties as a member of the judiciary at any future stage. 

The JSA warned that the current decision by the President was detrimental to the independence of the Judiciary, especially the independence of the judges of the trial courts.

Pertaining to the appointment of the other Officer of the Attorney General’s Department, the JSA pointed out that the said officer was a junior and the appointment was unfair to the judicial officers who are next in line in judicial seniority. 

Thereby, the JSA has requested the President refrain from appointing Tikiri Jayathilaka to the High Court and consider the seniority when an officer of the Attorney General’s Department is appointed to the High Court. (NewsWire)

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