(Lanka-e-News -08.Aug.2025, 11.20 PM) Sri Lanka’s new Chief Justice, Preethi Padman Surasena, has moved swiftly to assert authority over the bench, with the Judicial Service Commission suspending five judges in just one week — bringing the total number of suspended members of the judiciary to seven.
The first to be suspended under the new regime was Moratuwa Magistrate Thilina Gamage, already facing allegations including the illegal possession of a baby elephant. The latest suspensions include Mahiyanganaya Additional District Judge Rangani Gamage and three recently appointed magistrates still within their probationary period. In the case of Rangani Gamage, lawyers themselves lodged complaints directly with the Commission.
Investigations into the allegations against all suspended judges are now under way. Judicial sources said the three magistrates accused while still on probation are almost certain to be dismissed, as the probationary period in the public service is intended to be free of any allegations of misconduct.
The action follows earlier suspensions, several months ago, of the former Marawila Magistrate and the former Kaduwela Magistrate.
The Judicial Service Commission is chaired by Chief Justice Surasena, with Supreme Court Justice Mahinda Samayawardhena serving as a member. The seat vacated by the retirement of Justice Gamini Amarasekera remains unfilled by the Constitutional Council. The Commission’s secretary is High Court Judge Prasanna Alwis.
The purge mirrors a parallel crackdown within the police, where 300 officers have been suspended so far this year as part of what the government describes as a “clean-up” of the force.
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by (2025-08-08 18:24:12)
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