Opposition calls for Select Committee to probe Judicial Service Commission

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana  

Opposition MPs representing the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), New Democratic Front (NDF), and Sarvajana Balaya have called for the appointment of a Select Committee to investigate what they describe as questionable conduct by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).  

A total of 22 opposition MPs — including Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Dayasiri Jayasekara, Gayantha Karunathilaka, Kavinda Jayawardene, Kins Nelson, Chamindranee Kiriella, Chamara Sampath, Waruna Liyanage, J. C. Alawathuwela, Ajith P. Perera, Mujibur Rahman, Chaminda Wijesiri, Jagath Withana, Ismail Muthu Mohammed, Dilith Jayaweera, Sujith Sanjaya Perera, D. V. Chanaka, V. Radhakrishnan, Rohana Bandara, Imran Maharoof, Chathura Gallage, Rohini Wijeratne, Prasad Siriwardana, Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, Ramanathan Archchuna, and Rishad Bathiudeen — have signed a written request urging the Speaker to appoint the committee.  

The MPs have asked for an inquiry into all appointments, promotions, and transfers of judicial officers made since January 1, 2025, to determine whether these actions were carried out in line with the Constitution, principles of natural justice, and accepted administrative guidelines. They also want the committee to examine whether relevant judicial officers were consulted prior to such decisions.  

In addition, the opposition seeks an assessment of the impact the JSC’s actions may have had on the judiciary, as well as recommendations for necessary legal reforms. They propose that the committee be chaired by the Speaker or a representative appointed by him.  

The call for a probe comes in the wake of several allegations raised by opposition members over recent transfers of judges and magistrates.