Jayantha Jayasuriya

Jayantha Jayasuriya
PC
ජයන්ත ජයසූරිය
47th Chief Justice of Sri Lanka
In office
29 April 2019 – 10 October 2024
Appointed byMaithripala Sirisena
Preceded byNalin Perera
Succeeded byMurdu Nirupa Fernando (acting)
45th Attorney General of Sri Lanka
In office
11 January 2016 – 29 April 2019
Appointed byMaithripala Sirisena
Preceded byYuwanjana Wijayatilake
Succeeded byDappula de Livera
Personal details
Born
Jayantha Chandrasiri Jayasuriya
Alma materMaliyadeva College
Sri Lanka Law College
Websitehttps://www.supremecourt.lk/

Jayantha Chandrasiri Jayasuriya, PC (Sinhala: ජයන්ත චන්ද්‍රසිරි ජයසූරිය) is a lawyer who served as the 47th Chief Justice of Sri Lanka since April 2019 to October 2024. Jayasuriya was approved by the Constitutional Council on the 26 April 2019 and sworn in three days later on the 29 April, succeeding Chief Justice Nalin Perera.[1][2][3] He previously served as the 45th Attorney General of Sri Lanka.[4] While serving as Attorney General Jayasuriya defended the sacking of the Prime Minister by the President of Sri Lanka but was over-ruled by the Supreme Court.[5] Jayasuriya controversially requested an extension of the term of office of President Sirisena prior to being made Chief Justice. The Supreme Court overruled that request.[6]

Jayasuriya took oath as an Attorney-at-Law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka in 1982. He joined the Attorney General’s Department as a State Counsel and held the posts of Senior State Counsel, Deputy Solicitor General, Additional Solicitor General, and Senior Additional Solicitor General before being appointed Attorney General. Jayasuriya studied at Maliyadeva College.[7]

  1. ^ "CC approves Jayantha Jayasuriya as Chief Justice". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  2. ^ "Jayantha Jayasuriya Sri Lanka's new Chief Justice". www.economynext.com. Retrieved 29 April 2019.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "Jayantha Jayasuriya appointed new Chief Justice". Colombo Gazette. 29 April 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
  4. ^ Constitutional Council approves Jayantha as new Attorney General
  5. ^ "Court has no jurisdiction to hear FR petitions against dissolution: AG - Breaking News | Daily Mirror".
  6. ^ "Jayantha Jayasuriya Who Argued Sirisena Could Continue Until 2021 Likely to be Next Chief Justice". 23 September 2018.
  7. ^ Alwis, Kamani. "CC unanimously approves Jayantha Jayasuriya as CJ". Daily News. Retrieved 29 April 2019.