Sri Lankan appointed new Tax Judge in Fiji

A Sri Lankan Lawyer, Chandrasiri Kotigalage, a Judge of the Fijian High Court, has been honoured by the Fijian Government in being appointed as the new Tax Judge effective from 26 February 2013.

A press release dated 19 March by the Chief Executive Officer of Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority (FRCA) Jitoko Tikolevu stated: “All tax cases will now be fast-tracked after the appointment of Honourable Justice Chandrasiri Kotigalage as the Tax Judge of the High Court.” The FRCA Board and Chief Executive Officer had welcomed the establishment of the Tax Court and the appointment of the Tax Judge. It is also noted that this is the first in the history of Fiji’s judicial system that a Tax Court has been established and FRCA is appreciative of the Government’s support to ensure improvement in processes and delivery of services.

Tikolevu further stated: “FRCA is pleased to have Justice Kotigalage as the Tax Judge. His appointment will greatly assist in expediting tax matters that are pending in court. FRCA collects 90% of Government revenue and it is important for the cases relating to tax to be given priority.”

Kotigalage joined the Fiji Island Judiciary in September 2011 as a High Court Judge. Before he joined the Fiji Judiciary, he served as the Senior Deputy General Manager and Consultant – Legal at Seylan Bank Plc for 16 years and count over 30 years of experience as a Lawyer.

He is an old boy of Ananda College and Pundaluoya Maha Vidyayala. It is a matter of pride that Sri Lankan lawyers of Kotigalage’s level of competence can perform in any area of law not only in Sri Lanka but anywhere in the world.