The Judicial Service Commission has removed twenty officials, including judges, from their duties within the judicial service, it was reported.

According to the Lankadeepa newspaper, among those removed are a High Court judge, several District Court judges, and Magistrates.

Out of the twenty individuals, the services of seven have been completely terminated, while the remaining officials have either been suspended from duty or subjected to compulsory retirement.

The Judicial Service Commission took these actions following investigations into public complaints received against certain judicial officers.

Those facing serious allegations, such as corruption, were formally charged and subjected to disciplinary inquiries.

Following these inquiries, individuals found guilty of misconduct were removed from service by the Judicial Service Commission, chaired by Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena.

It is further reported that the High Court judge who was removed is currently facing an inquiry before Supreme Court Justice Janak de Silva.

Additionally, the Commission has granted the option of retirement to those found guilty who were nearing retirement age. (Newswire)

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The Judicial Service Commission has informed all magistrates to take necessary steps to remove narcotic samples weighing less than one kilogram that have accumulated at the Government Analyst’s Department.

This notification was issued following a request made by the Secretary to the Ministry of Justice, President’s Counsel Ayesha Jinadasa.

The Ministry of Justice has submitted a report to the Judicial Service Commission regarding narcotic samples weighing less than one kilogram that were sent to the Government Analyst’s Department between 1981 and 2023, and whose investigations have been completed.

Despite the completion of investigations, these samples continue to be stored, causing space constraints at the Government Analyst’s Department and making it impossible to provide adequate storage facilities, according to the Ministry.

In response, the Ministry of Justice has requested the Judicial Service Commission to take urgent action to remove the completed narcotic samples from the Government Analyst’s Department.

After reviewing the request, the Judicial Service Commission has formally notified all magistrates to take the necessary steps to remove the narcotic samples weighing less than one kilogram that have accumulated at the Government Analyst’s Department. (Newswire)

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Five judges have been suspended from duty within a week by Sri Lanka’s Judicial Service Commission, according to the state-run newspaper, Dinamina.

The suspended officials include Moratuwa Magistrate Thilina Gamage, Mahiyanganaya Additional District Judge Rangani Gamage, and three newly appointed magistrates who had not yet completed their probationary periods.

The Judicial Service Commission is chaired by Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, with Supreme Court Justice Mahinda Samayawardhena serving as a member. 

A third seat, left vacant by the retirement of Justice Gamini Amarasekera, has yet to be filled by the Constitutional Council.

High Court Judge Prasanna Alwis currently serves as the commission’s secretary. (Newswire)

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The services of Colombo Fort Magistrate Kosala Senadheera have been interdicted by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) due to ongoing investigations into allegations during his tenure at the Mount Lavinia District Court.

According to Mawbima newspaper, Magistrate Kosala Senadheera is accused of having illegally obtained electricity and water supply to the Magistrate’s official residence from the courts.

As investigations are ongoing, the Judicial Service Commission has decided to interdict Magistrate Kosala Senadheera until the conclusion of the probe.

Thereby, Colombo Fort Magistrate Kosala Senadheera has been interdicted effective from July 10, 2024.

A preliminary investigation was launched based on a complaint filed with the commission by the Secretary to the Ministry of Justice on July 08. 

The probe comes after Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa recently informed the Parliament of corrupt activities by lower court judges, highlighting the incident of malpractice by the Mount Lavinia District Court judge. (Newswire)

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