Justice Nalin Perera sworn in as 46th Chief Justice

Justice Nalin Perera was sworn in as the 46th Chief Justice of the country before President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday.

He commenced his career as a Primary Court judge in 1980, after passing out from Law College in 1977. After serving as a Primary Court judge in Embilipitiya and Welimada, he was promoted a Magistrate in 1984 and served in Mt Lavinia, Walasmulla, Kalutara and Colombo Fort.

In 1990 he was appointed District Court judge and served in Galle, Matara, Colombo, Kalutara, Awissawella and Mt Lavinia areas.

He was appointed to the High Court in 2001. He served in Ratnapura, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Colombo. He served as a Criminal High Court judge and in the Civil Appellate High courts. He delivered the judgment in the Thrimavitharana murder case, as the Ratnapura High Court judge.

In 2011 he assumed duties as a Court of Appeal judge and five years later promoted a Supreme Court judge.

He also lectured at the Judges Training School.

His wife, Shirani Perera, an Attorney-atLaw who served in the public sector, is currently retired from service.

His sister, late Sherin Madawala, served as a Court of Appeal judge.

He was educated at St Thomas’ Kotte and St Thomas’ Guruthalawa.

Among his contemporaries at Law College were former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, former Minister late Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Supreme Court judge, Eva Wanasundara and former Justice Ministry Secretary Kamalini de Silva.

The ceremonial sitting to welcome the new Chief Justice will take place next week.