Constitutional Council approves several judicial appointments

The Constitutional Council yesterday approved several judicial appointments following its second meeting presided by Speaker and Chairman Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana.

The Constitutional Council considered the recommendation of the President to appoint Court of Appeal President K.P. Fernando as a Judge of the Supreme Court, to the post which fell vacant with the retirement of Supreme Court Judge L.T.B. Dehideniya. The Constitutional Council unanimously approved the above recommendation. 

It unanimously approved the nomination of Court of Appeal Judge N.B.P.D.S. Karunarathna to be appointed as the President of the Court of Appeal, and the nomination of High Court Judge M.A.R. Marikkar to be appointed as a Judge of the Court of Appeal to the resultant vacancies.  

The Constitutional Council further decided to publish the advertisement on newspapers of 1 February, calling for applications for the appointment as Members of the Commissions specified in Schedule to Article 41B of the Constitution. 

Draft format of the application would be published on the Official Parliament website while the deadline to submit applications is 15 February.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Members of Parliament Sagara Kariyawasam, other council members Dr. Prathap Ramanujam, Dr. Dilkushi Anula Wijesundere and Dr. Dinesha Samararatne were present at the Council meeting. MP Kabir Hashim had informed his inability to attend due to unavoidable circumstances.