Murdu Nirupa Bidushinie Fernando sworn in as Sri Lanka’s 48th Chief Justice

Supreme Court Justice Murdu Nirupa Bidushinie Fernando was officially sworn in as the Chief Justice of Sri Lanka before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (December 2) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.

She assumes office as the 48th Chief Justice of Sri Lanka, succeeding Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, who recently retired.

Her appointment received approval from the Constitutional Council.

She began her career at the Attorney General’s Department in 1985, rising through its ranks to become Deputy Solicitor General in 1997 and Additional Solicitor General in 2014. With over three decades of service as a State Counsel, she was appointed to the Supreme Court in March 2018.

As the most senior Supreme Court Justice prior to her appointment, she played a significant role in shaping Sri Lanka’s legal landscape. She also served as Senior Additional Solicitor General at the Attorney General’s Department, demonstrating a distinguished career in public service.

Murdu Fernando earned her Bachelor of Laws degree from the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo.

The event was attended by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.