Parinda Ranasinghe to take oaths as AG today

Friday, 12 July 2024 03:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Senior Additional Solicitor General Parinda Ranasinghe Jr. will take oaths as Sri Lanka’s new Attorney General before the Chief Justice today.

The Constitutional Council unanimously approved Ranasinghe Jr. as the country’s Attorney General yesterday. Ranasinghe was appointed as the Acting Attorney General on 1 July after the Constitutional Council twice rejected President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s proposal to extend the tenure of former Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam PC for another six months.

Accordingly Ranasinghe, who assumed the role of Acting Attorney General on 1 July saw his temporary appointment conclude yesterday, leading to the Constitutional Council to confirm him in the position.

Ranasinghe comes from a distinguished legal background. His father, K.A. Parinda Ranasinghe, a former Sri Lankan judge also served as Sri Lanka’s 38th Chief Justice.

Despite Ranasinghe’s esteemed career, his appointment has ignited controversy.

Early this week Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Rohini Kumari Wijerathna accused the Government of gender discrimination in appointing Ranasinghe over Senior Additional Solicitor General Ayesha Jinasena.

Wijerathna voiced concerns in Parliament, highlighting Jinasena’s seniority, extensive experience, and qualifications, arguing that the decision favoured a male candidate over a deserving female counterpart.