Justice Murdu Fernando is set to be sworn in today, 2 December, as Sri Lanka’s new Chief Justice before President Anura Dissanayake.

Her appointment follows the retirement of Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya. Notably, Justice Fernando becomes the second woman in Sri Lanka’s history to hold this prestigious position, following Shirani Bandaranayake in 2011.

Justice Fernando began her career in the Attorney General’s Department as a state counsel, serving for over 30 years. She rose through the ranks to become senior state counsel, deputy solicitor general, additional solicitor general, and senior additional solicitor general. She was also appointed a President’s Counsel during her tenure as an additional solicitor general.

In March 2018, she was elevated to the Supreme Court bench by then-President Maithripala Sirisena.