Murdu Fernando

The Honourable
Murdu Fernando
PC
48th Chief Justice of Sri Lanka
In office
2 December 2024 – 27 July 2025
Appointed byAnura Kumara Dissanayake
Preceded byJayantha Jayasuriya
Succeeded byPadman Surasena
Acting Chief Justice
In office
10 October 2024 (2024-10-10) – 2 December 2024 (2024-12-02)
Appointed byAnura Kumara Dissanayake
Puisne Justice of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka
In office
9 March 2018 (2018-03-09) – 2 December 2024 (2024-12-02)
Appointed byMaithripala Sirisena
Personal details
Born
Murdu Nirupa Bidushinie Fernando

(1960-07-27) 27 July 1960
Moratuwa
SpouseSasanka Fernando
Education

Murdu Nirupa Bidushinie Fernando, PC (born 27 July 1960) is a Sri Lankan lawyer who served as the 48th Chief Justice of Sri Lanka from 2 December 2024 to 27 July 2025. She was appointed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.[1][2] She was the second woman to hold the position of chief justice, following Shirani Bandaranayake.[3]

Previously, she served as the acting chief justice from 10 October to 1 December 2024.[4]

Fernando retired on 27 July 2025 and was succeeded as the 49th chief justice by Padman Surasena.[5][6][7]

Early life

Fernando was educated at Princess of Wales' College, where she served as head prefect and house captain. She received awards for best debater and the junior prize for the most outstanding student. She went on to study law at the University of Colombo, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws. She then completed her law examinations at the Sri Lanka Law College, where she ranked first in the order of merit and was awarded the Sir Lalitha Rajapakse Memorial Prize and the A. B. Cooray Memorial Prize. She later obtained a Master of Laws from King’s College, London.[8]

Career

Fernando joined the Attorney General's Department as a State Counsel, where she served for over 30 years. During her tenure, she was promoted to Senior State Counsel, Deputy Solicitor General, Additional Solicitor General and Senior Additional Solicitor General. She was appointed a President's Counsel while serving as an Additional Solicitor General.[8]

She was appointed as a puisne justice of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka on 9 March 2018 by President Maithripala Sirisena.[9]

On 10 October 2024, President Dissanayake appointed Fernando as the acting chief justice following the retirement of Jayantha Jayasuriya, who served as the 47th chief justice.[4] Her nomination for appointment as the next chief justice, submitted by President Dissanayake, was approved by the Constitutional Council on 16 November 2024.[10] She was officially sworn in on 2 December 2024.[1][2]

Fernando retired on 27 July 2025 and was succeeded as the 49th chief justice by Padman Surasena. In Sri Lanka, the mandatory retirement age for a puisne justice of the Supreme Court or the chief justice is 65 years.[5][6][7]

References

  1. ^ a b "Supreme Court Justice Murdu Fernando takes oath as the Sri Lanka's 48th Chief Justice". President's Office. 2 December 2024. Archived from the original on 23 April 2025. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Murdu Fernando sworn in as new Chief Justice". www.adaderana.lk. 2 December 2024. Archived from the original on 10 July 2025. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  3. ^ Padmasiri, Ranjith (15 December 2024). "New CJ says Judiciary is the army that defends the fortress of democracy from the assault of injustice". Print Edition - The Sunday Times, Sri Lanka. Archived from the original on 13 March 2025. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Murdhu Fernando appointed Acting Chief Justice". www.adaderana.lk. 10 October 2024. Archived from the original on 10 July 2025. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  5. ^ a b "President to Nominate New Chief Justice Within Two Weeks". english.newsfirst.lk. 13 July 2025. Archived from the original on 13 July 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  6. ^ a b Padmasiri, Ranjith (20 July 2025). "CJ to retire on July 27, President likely to recommend a nominee in the coming week". Print Edition - The Sunday Times, Sri Lanka. Archived from the original on 21 July 2025. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Justice Preethi Padman Surasena Sworn in as 49th Chief Justice of Sri Lanka". www.adaderana.lk. 27 July 2025. Archived from the original on 27 July 2025. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
  8. ^ a b "Justice Murdu Fernando, new Supreme Court Judge". Daily News. 26 March 2018. Archived from the original on 23 January 2025. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  9. ^ "Senior Additional Solicitor General Murdhu Fernando appointed to Supreme Court". www.sundaytimes.lk. 11 March 2018. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  10. ^ "CC confirms Murdhu Fernando as Chief Justice". www.adaderana.lk. 16 November 2024. Archived from the original on 16 November 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
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