The government has decided to shelve its plans to impeach Court of Appeal (CA) President Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne following his submission of retirement papers to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake this week, *The Sunday Times* reported.
Justice Karunaratne is set to step down from his duties in the Court of Appeal effective February 1, and he will officially retire on June 16 upon reaching the retirement age of 63. The government sources cited by the newspaper revealed that the impeachment plans were abandoned in light of his decision to retire and withdraw from active duties.
Justice Karunaratne has informed all CA judges of his intention to step down starting February 1. Consequently, the government is now focusing on appointing a senior CA judge to serve as acting President of the Court of Appeal until his official retirement.
According to *The Sunday Times*, Justice Mohammed Laffar is the most senior judge in the Court of Appeal after Justice Karunaratne. However, President Dissanayake did not recommend Justice Laffar for a Supreme Court appointment, and he is also set to retire on June 18 upon reaching 63. The next senior judges in the Court of Appeal include Justices Udaya Karaliyadde, Rathnapriya Gurusinghe, and Dhammika Ganepola.
The government has also emphasized that the Constitutional Council (CC) holds the authority to independently investigate the conduct of any individual whose appointment requires the CC’s approval.
Meanwhile, a ceremonial sitting to welcome four newly appointed Supreme Court judges—Justices Sobhitha Rajakaruna, Menaka Wijesundera, Sampath Abayakoon, and Sampath Wijeratne—will be held on Wednesday in the Superior Court Complex’s main hall. Similarly, a ceremonial sitting for newly appointed Court of Appeal Justices Sarath Dissanayake and Pradeep Hettiarachchi will take place on Tuesday in the Court of Appeal’s main hall.
*The Sunday Times* also reported discontent within the Attorney General’s (AG) Department over the government’s decision to disregard the AG’s nomination for a recent Supreme Court vacancy. Although Additional Solicitor General Susantha Balapatabendi, PC, was nominated, his name was not forwarded by the President to the Constitutional Council for consideration.
In the High Court, Jaffna High Court Judge M. Ilanchelian, the most senior judge eligible for a Court of Appeal appointment, is set to retire today (January 19) upon reaching 60. Other senior High Court judges next in line include Kandy High Court Judge Sumudu Premachandra, Colombo High Court Judges Namal Bandara Balalle and K. Priyantha Fernando, and Trincomalee High Court Judge K. Prema Shankar. The AG’s Department has also submitted the names of Senior Deputy Solicitor General Lakmali Karunanayake and Senior Deputy Solicitor General Sudarshana de Silva to the President for consideration as Court of Appeal judges.
Several additional retirements are expected in the superior courts this year. Chief Justice Murdu Fernando will retire in July, while Supreme Court Justice Gamini Amarasekara will step down in June. In the Court of Appeal, President Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice Mohammed Laffar will both retire in June, with Justice Ahsan Marikar scheduled to retire in April.