Jayantha Chandrasiri Jayasuriya, PC (Sinhala: ජයන්ත චන්ද්රසිරි ජයසූරිය) is a lawyer who is serving as the 47th Chief Justice of Sri Lanka since 2019. Jayasuriya was approved by the Constitutional Council on the 26 April 2019 and sworn in three days later on the 29 April, succeeding Chief Justice Nalin Perera.[1][2][3] He previously served as the 45th Attorney General of Sri Lanka.[4] While serving as Attorney General Jayasuriya defended the sacking of the Prime Minister by the President of Sri Lanka but was over-ruled by the Supreme Court.[5] Jayasuriya controversially requested an extension of the term of office of President Sirisena prior to being made Chief Justice. The Supreme Court overruled that request.[6]
Jayantha Jayasuriya
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| ජයන්ත ජයසූරිය | |
| 47th Chief Justice of Sri Lanka | |
| Assumed office 29 April 2019 | |
| Appointed by | Maithripala Sirisena |
| Preceded by | Nalin Perera |
| 45th Attorney General of Sri Lanka | |
| In office 11 January 2016 – 29 April 2019 | |
| Appointed by | Maithripala Sirisena |
| Preceded by | Yuwanjana Wijayatilake |
| Succeeded by | Dappula de Livera |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Jayantha Chandrasiri Jayasuriya
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| Alma mater | Maliyadeva College Sri Lanka Law College |
| Website | https://www.supremecourt.lk/ |
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Jayasuriya took oath as an Attorney-at-Law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka in 1982. He joined the Attorney General’s Department as a State Counsel and held the posts of Senior State Counsel, Deputy Solicitor General, Additional Solicitor General, and Senior Additional Solicitor General before being appointed Attorney General. Jayasuriya studied at Maliyadeva College.[7]
| Legal offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Attorney General of Sri Lanka 2014–2019 |
Succeeded by
Dappula de Livera |
| Preceded by | Chief Justice of Sri Lanka 2019–present |
Incumbent |