The Government has issued an Extraordinary Gazette amending the guidelines governing the appointment of President’s Counsel under the powers vested in the President by Article 33(e) of the Constitution.
According to Extraordinary Gazette No. 2498/76, dated 24 July 2026, Guideline No. 4 of Gazette No. 2255/24 issued on 24 November 2021 has been repealed and replaced with a new provision.
Under the revised guideline, lawyers must now have been registered as advocates of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka for a minimum of 20 years to be eligible for appointment as President’s Counsel.
The gazette notification was issued by the Presidential Secretariat under the signature of Secretary to the President Dr. N. S. Kumanayake.
Meanwhile, a separate gazette has also been published calling for applications for the appointment of President’s Counsel for 2026.
Eligible lawyers are invited to submit their applications on or before 31 August 2026.
