Supreme Court curbs President from nominating judges to SC, other than CJ

President Ranil Wickremesinghe

The Supreme Court yesterday issued an interim order until 4 October preventing President Ranil Wickremesinghe from nominating judges to the Supreme Court, other than the Chief Justice.

The Supreme Court made this order consequent to a Fundamental Rights petition filed by Attorney-at-Law Sarith Maheeputhra Pathirathne. He is seeking an order directing the Constitutional Council to approve the recommendation by the President to appoint incumbent President of the Court of Appeal Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne as a Supreme Court judge.

The Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprised Justices S. Thurairaja, A. H. M. D. Nawaz and Shiran Goonaratne.

The petitioner named the members of the Constitutional Council including Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Sagara Kariyawasam and several others as respondents.

Faizer Mustapha PC, with Counsel Saheeda Barrie, Mehran Careem, Naveen Maha Arachchige and Amila Perera instructed by Sanjeewa Kaluarachchi appeared for the petitioner.