Justice Murdu Fernando is set to take the oath as Sri Lanka’s new Chief Justice today (02) before President Anura Dissanayake. This appointment follows the retirement of Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya.
Justice Fernando becomes the second woman in Sri Lanka’s history to hold the position of Chief Justice, following Shirani Bandaranayake, who was appointed in 2011.
Her distinguished legal career began at the Attorney General’s Department, where she served for over 30 years in various capacities, including state counsel, senior state counsel, deputy solicitor general, additional solicitor general, and senior additional solicitor general. She was also appointed a President’s Counsel during her tenure as an additional solicitor general.
In March 2018, she was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court by then-President Maithripala Sirisena, further solidifying her reputation as a respected legal professional.
