Appointment of judges to Apex Courts: Stalemate continues

By Kelum Bandara   

Five vacancies in the Court of Appeal and two in the  Supreme Court remain unfilled because of a legal case involving the sending of nominations by President Ranil Wickremesinghe. 

The Supreme Court has issued an interim order preventing  the President from nominating judges to the Supreme Court, other than  the Chief Justice.  

The interim order issued against President Ranil Wickremesinghe is effective until October 04, 2024.  

Asked about the current status, Speaker Mahinda Yapa  Abeywardena who is the chair of the Constitutional Council said his  office cannot initiate any action.  

“We can consider only recommendations by the President. There is nothing other than that we can do,” he said.