Promotion for Appeal Court Judge to Supreme court over two senior most Judges: BASL voices concern

Justice Rohini Perera Marasinghe
accepting her appointment

Appeal Court Judge Justice Rohini Perera Marasinghe was sworn in as a Judge of the Supreme Court by the President on Friday (26), to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice S.I. Imam.�Justice Marasinghe is the third most senior judge of the Court of Appeal, preceded by Justice S. Sriskandarajah (President of the Court of Appeal) and Justice Sisira De Abrew.

Meanwhile Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) President Upul Jayasuriya yesterday expressed concern over the promotion of a Court of Appeal judge to the Supreme Court, overlooking the President of the Court of Appeal.

“Up to now, the practice and tradition has been that, if an appointment to the Supreme Court is made from the Court of Appeal, it is the President of the Court of Appeal, as the most senior Judge of that Court, who is appointed to the Supreme Court,” Mr. Jayasuriya said in a statement.

“I firmly believe that, if the independence of the judiciary, public confidence in the judiciary and the efficient and proper administration of justice are to be respected and fostered, judicial appointments and, especially appointments to the higher courts, should be made in accordance with seniority and due process. Following this rule enables judges to have security and be independent and this is in the interests of all citizens and our country,” he said.
ST