News
Bar Association concerned about five unfilled vacancies in Appeal Court
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) Friday raised significant concerns regarding the prolonged delay in appointing judges to fill vacancies in the Court of Appeal.In a letter to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the BASL highlighted the pressing issue of as many as five vacancies currently existing within the Court of Appeal.
The letter signed BASL President Kaushalya Nawaratne, PC and Secretary Chathura A. Galhena emphasized their duty to express deep concern over the situation, stressing the urgent need for attention. The association also underscored the pivotal role of the judiciary in upholding the rule of law, ensuring justice, and safeguarding citizens’ rights.
Full text of the letter titled ‘Concern over the prevailing crisis relating to the filling of vacancies in the Court of Appeal’:
“The Bar Association of Sri Lanka writes with grave concern regarding the prolonged delay in appointing judges to fill vacancies in the Court of Appeal. It is our understanding that there are, at present, as many as five vacancies in the Court of Appeal, as of today.
“As the apex body representing the legal fraternity of this country, we are duty-bound to express our deep concern over this situation and believe it merits urgent attention, particularly considering the potential adverse repercussions that would follow in the administration of justice.
“The judiciary plays a pivotal role in upholding the rule of law, ensuring justice, and safeguarding the rights of all citizens. However, the efficiency and effectiveness of the judicial system are significantly hampered when key positions remain vacant for extended periods. The backlog of cases would increase, leading to delays in the dispensation of justice, erosion of public trust in the legal system, and ultimately, the denial of justice to citizens. This could, in addition, further reduce Sri Lanka’s ratings in ease of doing business, which in turn, would hamper efforts at economic recovery.
“It is to be noted, further, that the absence of a full bench in the superior courts diminishes the diversity of perspectives and expertise which are crucial for comprehensive and balanced adjudication.
“We acknowledge the complexity and importance of the appointment process, but we would like to impress upon Your Excellency the need to ensure the prevailing situation does not continue indefinitely, and to this end, humbly request that this matter be given utmost priority. We would like to further request, with respect, that members of the private Bar who are held in high esteem are also considered when making recommendations for the filling of such vacancies.
“In conclusion, we would like to express our sincere commitment to continue to safeguard the principles of democracy and the sovereignty of the citizen, enshrined in our most hallowed Constitution.
“We look forward to your expeditious and favourable response.”
The Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill for the year 2026 (Budget Speech) is scheduled to be presented to Parliament tomorrow (07) at 1.30 p.m. by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance.
Subsequently, the debate on the Appropriation Bill (Budget Debate) is scheduled to be held from November 8 to December 5, 2025.
The Appropriation Bill for 2026, which was presented to Parliament for the First Reading on September 26, 2025, will have its Second Reading Debate for 6 days from November 8 to 14. Accordingly, the vote on the Second Reading will be held on November 14 at 6.00 p.m.
The Committee Stage Debate on the Appropriation Bill for the year 2026 will take place for 17 days, from November 15 to December 5, including 3 Saturdays. The Third Reading Vote on the Appropriation Bill will then be held on December 5 at 6.00 p.m.
During the Budget Period the Budget Debate will be held every day, including Saturdays, except for public holidays and Sundays. Also, during the Committee Stage Debate Period, Parliament is scheduled to meet at 9.30 a.m. on Mondays and at 9.00 a.m. on all other days.
Accordingly, during this period, in addition to the business under Standing Orders 22(1) to (6), time has been allocated for 5 Questions for Oral Answers and 1 Question under Standing Orders 27(2). Also, during this period, the Budget Debate is scheduled to be held until 6.00 p.m. and on all days except voting days, from 6.00 to 6.30 p.m., time will be allotted for Motions at the Adjournment Time based on a 50:50 allocation between the Government and the Opposition.
The Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Kandy, Kegalle and Ratnapura valid from 12:30 hrs on 06.11.2025 to 12:30 hrs on 07.11.2025
Accordingly,
Level II warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Division and surrounding areas of Yatiyanthota in the Kegalle district and Ratnapura, Elapatha and Kuruwita in the Ratnapura district.
Level I warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Division and surrounding areas of Ganga Ihala Korale in the Kandy district, Warakapola and Kegalle in the Kegalle district and Kiriella, Kahawaththa, Ayagama, Kalawana, Eheliyagoda, Nivithigala and Pelmadulla in the Ratnapura district.
The Main Opposition party, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), has accused the NPP government of creating a cartel of food importers at the expense of local farmers.
Alleging that the politically connected, large-scale importers had access to inside information, such as imposition of duties/levies, SJB Matale District MP Rohini Kaviratne said the government had given them free rein.
Addressing a gathering, in Matale, recently, MP Kaviratne claimed that the government had changed the import polices related to food items for the benefit of a few importers. The Opposition MP alleged that the new importers were not those who are based in Pettah, or Dambulla; they were a group of deal makers whose only intension was to make money.
The MP cited the Finance Ministry’s failure to impose a Special Commodity Levy (SCL) on imported big onions on time to the alleged unholy alliance between the government and big businesses. Lawmaker Kaviratne pointed out that during the first eight months of last year, Sri Lanka imported only 73, 332 mt of big onions whereas during the same period this year big onion imports had risen to 144,551 mt.
Referring to sugar imports, the SJBer pointed out Sri Lanka brought in 223,144 mt during first six months in 2024 while this year during the same period, sugar imports rose to 343,416 mt.
Recalling the sugar tax scam alleged to have been perpetrated by the SLPP government, MP Kaviratne said that the NPP was going ahead with sordid operations while accusing all other political parties of corruption. (SF)
China sentences infamous Myanmar scam mafia members to death
Chapman stars as New Zealand survive West Indies scare to level series
President to present the 2026 Budget tomorrow (7th November) at 1.30 p.m.
Landslide Early Warnings issued to the districts of Kandy, Kegalle and Ratnapura
Death toll from Kentucky UPS plane crash rises to 12, black box recovered
Seven Italian climbers missing in Nepal as storms, avalanches leave 9 dead
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Features7 days agoEndane Biodiversity Corridor – Reuniting forest, rekindling life
-
News5 days agoTeachers threaten strike against education reforms and ‘bid to shut down more than 1,500 schools’
-
Features5 days agoRolls – Royce in Ceylon
-
News5 days agoSri Lanka: Fewer births, rapid ageing mark a new demographic era
-
News6 days agoSupermarkets to charge shoppers for bags from today
-
Business6 days agoRs. 2 billion private sector leisure and real estate investment in Pinnawela
-
Business4 days agoRajaputhra Foundation, Nawaloka Hospitals partner for free breast cancer awareness and screening
-
Opinion7 days agoLeading Sri Lanka’s savings culture with innovation — NSB honoured with the prestigious International WSBI Award