By: Isuru Parakrama
December 02, Colombo (LNW): Justice Murdu Fernando is poised to take the oath as Sri Lanka’s 49th Chief Justice today (02).
The event is expected to take under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
This follows the retirement of the previous Chief Justice, Jayantha Jayasuriya, who served in the position until recently.
Fernando’s appointment marks a significant milestone in the country’s judicial history, as she becomes the second woman to hold the prestigious office of Chief Justice, following in the footsteps of Shirani Bandaranayake, who held the role in 2011.
With a distinguished legal career spanning over three decades, Justice Fernando began her journey in the Attorney General’s Department, where she joined as a state counsel.
Over the years, she climbed the ranks, demonstrating exceptional legal expertise and leadership, eventually being promoted to senior state counsel.
Her career continued to flourish as she took on key roles, including deputy solicitor general, additional solicitor general, and senior additional solicitor general.
Fernando’s impressive track record in these capacities led to her appointment as a President’s Counsel.
In March 2018, during the presidency of Maithripala Sirisena, Fernando’s judicial career reached a new height when she was appointed as a Justice of the Supreme Court, cementing her place among the nation’s highest legal authorities.
