Overview
Jayantha Chandrasiri Jayasuriya PC is a Sri Lankan lawyer and judge who became the 47th Chief Justice of Sri Lanka in April 2019. A senior member of the bar holding the honorary designation President's Counsel, he previously served as Attorney General of Sri Lanka. His elevation to the chief judicial office followed approval by the country's Constitutional Council and a formal swearing-in.
Career and appointment
Before assuming the highest judicial post, Jayasuriya served in senior roles within the state's legal system, including the office of Attorney General. He was approved by the Constitutional Council on 26 April 2019 and sworn in on 29 April 2019. As Chief Justice he succeeded his predecessor to lead the Supreme Court and the wider judiciary.
Role and responsibilities
The Chief Justice is the head of the judicial branch and presides over the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. Responsibilities commonly associated with the office include:
- Hearing and deciding on constitutional and appellate matters;
- Providing administrative leadership for the courts and overseeing judicial conduct;
- Interpreting laws and safeguarding the rule of law and constitutional norms.
Significance and distinctions
Jayasuriya's appointment is notable both for its place in the sequence of Sri Lankan chief justices—he is the 47th—and for his prior service as the country's 45th Attorney General. The combination of senior prosecutorial experience and recognition as a President's Counsel reflects a career rooted in public law and courtroom practice.
Further context
Information about the Supreme Court and the role of the Chief Justice can be found through official resources; for institutional details see the Supreme Court page: Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. Contemporary accounts of judicial appointments also place emphasis on the Constitutional Council's role in recommending senior judges and the formal oath-taking that completes an appointment.