• Second woman in Sri Lanka’s history to hold position

The Constitutional Council has approved the appointment of Justice Murdu Fernando as Chief Justice, making her the second woman in Sri Lankan history to hold this prestigious position, following Shirani Bandaranayake in 2011.

Justice Fernando, who took oaths as Acting Chief Justice on 10 October before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, brings over 30 years of experience from the Attorney General’s Department, where she ascended to Senior State Counsel and Senior Additional Solicitor General.

She was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2018 and is also a President’s Counsel.