Ratnapriya Gurusinghe retirement draws attention after BASL says a Supreme Court elevation recommendation received no response from the President’s Office.
Ratnapriya Gurusinghe retirement from the Court of Appeal on September 1 has drawn attention after more than 28 years of distinguished service in Sri Lanka’s judiciary.
Judge Gurusinghe, who was among the senior-most judges of the Court of Appeal, received the Bar Association of Sri Lanka’s highest tribute at a farewell ceremony held in his honour.
He began his judicial career on March 5, 1996.
Over the following years, he served as a Magistrate and District Judge in Colombo, Nawalapitiya, Gampola, Avissawella, Halawata, Matara, Matale and Kandy.
He was promoted as a High Court Judge in 2012.
Judge Gurusinghe later served at the Ampara Civil Appeals High Court as well as the Badulla and Colombo Commercial High Courts.
He was appointed to the Court of Appeal on December 1, 2020.
During this year, he also served as Acting President of the Court of Appeal, contributing to the administrative work of the judiciary.
Bar Association of Sri Lanka President Rajeev Amarasuriya said Judge Gurusinghe had demonstrated patience, fairness and humanity throughout his professional career.
He said the legal community also highly valued the judge’s contribution to meaningful reforms within the justice system.
The Ratnapriya Gurusinghe retirement has also brought renewed focus to an unresolved judicial appointment issue.
According to the BASL, former Chief Justice Murdhu Fernando had recommended Judge Gurusinghe for elevation to the Supreme Court.
The Bar Association said it reminded the President’s Office twice about that recommendation.
However, according to the BASL, no action had been taken on the recommendation by the time of his retirement.
The association did not indicate in the source material why the elevation did not proceed.
The Bar Association concluded its tribute by wishing Judge Gurusinghe good health and happiness in retirement after more than 28 years of judicial service.
