President’s Counsel appointments will now require 20 years of legal service after Sri Lanka abolished the exceptional 15-year provision.
Sri Lanka has revised the rules governing President’s Counsel appointments, making at least 20 years of service mandatory for eligible attorneys.
The government introduced the amendment through an extraordinary gazette notification. The Presidential Secretary issued the notification under the direction of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The change removes a special provision that previously allowed exceptional appointments after only 15 years of service.
Minimum Service Period Fixed at 20 Years
Under the revised guidelines, an attorney must have served as a Supreme Court Counsel for at least 20 years. Only then can that attorney qualify for consideration as President’s Counsel.
The earlier guidelines also set the standard minimum period at 20 years. However, they contained a discretionary provision for lawyers with 15 years of service.
That provision allowed authorities to consider such attorneys under exceptional circumstances, provided they satisfied every other qualification and appointment criterion.
The new amendment has now abolished that discretionary route. Therefore, the 20-year service requirement will apply to all future President’s Counsel appointments.
Applications Open for 2026 Appointments
Meanwhile, authorities have issued the official gazette calling for applications from qualified Supreme Court Counsel seeking appointment in 2026.
The Presidential Office said eligible attorneys could submit their applications before August 31.
Article 33 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka empowers the President to confer the title upon attorneys who demonstrate the highest standards of skill and professionalism.
The honour recognises distinguished service within the legal profession and Sri Lanka’s judicial system.
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka and members of the wider legal community have previously discussed concerns surrounding the selection process.
The latest amendment seeks to regulate President’s Counsel appointments more strictly by applying a clear and uniform service requirement.
The removal of the exceptional 15-year provision means that every applicant must now complete at least two decades of professional service before becoming eligible for consideration.
