The Constitutional Council has approved President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s nomination of Supreme Court Justice Preethi Padman Surasena as the next Chief Justice of Sri Lanka.

Justice Surasena, one of the most senior members of the Supreme Court, was recently nominated by the President for the position.

The Constitutional Council convened today and formally ratified the nomination.

Chief Justice Murdu Fernando is set to retire on 27th of July prompting the appointment of a new Chief Justice to fill the upcoming vacancy.