Judiciary left disgruntled over two recent appointments to HC

• Says the two appointments could negatively affect public confidence in the judiciary and rule of the law
• Notes President had made the appointments disregarding the letter by JSASL sent on 26 May
• Stresses situation has resulted in frustration and disappointment among judicial officers

The Judicial Service Association of Sri Lanka (JSASL) has written to President Ranil Wickremesinghe this week to express their dissatisfaction regarding his decision to appoint former Assistant Secretary General of Parliament Tikiri Jayathilaka and Senior State Counsel Nayani Nirmala Kasthuriratne as judges of the High Court.

The duo were appointed along with two others and were presented with the appointment letters on 5 June. The JSASL in their letter opined that the two appointments could negatively affect public confidence in the judiciary and rule of the law in the country. They also stressed that it is detrimental to the independence of the judiciary, especially the independence of the judges of the trial court. The Association also noted that Wickremesinghe had decided to go forward with the appointments disregarding the request made by them in a letter dated 26 May.

The JSASL maintained that Jayathilaka’s exposure to a non-legal institution was deemed to be a disqualification to reassume duties as a member of the judiciary at any future stage.

It further noted that the officer from the Attorney General’s Department appointed is a very junior officer in comparison to the judicial officers who are next in line in judicial seniority.  “As such, this situation has resulted in frustration and disappointment among the judicial officers who serve throughout the country for years,” the JSASL said.