Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishantha Peiris, who handles the magisterial inquiry on the death of former Sri Lanka rugby player Wasim Thajudeen, has been given an extension of term of office.

The Judicial Services Commission informed Additional Magistrate Peiris of the decision to extend his term of office for one more year.

Meanwhile, Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya was also given an extension of one year at his present position.Piplapitiya also presides over a number of cases with regard to the conduct of top echelons of the previous government.

Therefore, both the Colombo Chief Magistrate Pilapitiya and Additional Magistrate Nishantha Peiris will remain in their positions till December 31, 2016.

The Judicial Services Commission recently decided to review the transfers of Pilapitiya and Peiris in the wake of concerns raised by the country's legal fraternity.

The Commission, headed by Chief Justice K. Sripavan, received a number of complaints that the transfers of Pilapitiya and Pieris will severely affect some important cases against certain top-brass members of the previous government.