Jayantha Jayasuriya
Jayantha Jayasuriya | |
|---|---|
| Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations | |
| Assumed office 5 June 2025 | |
| Appointed by | Anura Kumara Dissanayake |
| Preceded by | Mohan Peiris |
| 47th Chief Justice of Sri Lanka | |
| In office 29 April 2019 – 10 October 2024 | |
| Appointed by | Maithripala Sirisena |
| Preceded by | Nalin Perera |
| Succeeded by | Murdu Fernando |
| 45th Attorney General of Sri Lanka | |
| In office 11 January 2016 – 29 April 2019 | |
| Appointed by | Maithripala Sirisena |
| Preceded by | Yuwanjana Wijayatilake |
| Succeeded by | Dappula de Livera |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jayantha Chandrasiri Jayasuriya |
| Alma mater | Maliyadeva College Sri Lanka Law College |
Jayantha Chandrasiri Jayasuriya, PC (Sinhala: ජයන්ත චන්ද්රසිරි ජයසූරිය) is a lawyer who served as the 47th Chief Justice of Sri Lanka from April 2019 to October 2024. Jayasuriya was approved by the Constitutional Council on 26 April 2019 and sworn in three days later on 29 April, succeeding Chief Justice Nalin Perera.[1][2][3] He previously served as the 45th Attorney General of Sri Lanka.[4] While serving as Attorney General Jayasuriya defended the sacking of the Prime Minister by the President of Sri Lanka but was over-ruled by the Supreme Court.[5] Jayasuriya controversially requested an extension of the term of office of President Sirisena prior to being made Chief Justice. The Supreme Court overruled that request.[6]
Jayasuriya took oath as an Attorney-at-Law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka in 1982. He joined the Attorney General’s Department as a State Counsel and held the posts of Senior State Counsel, Deputy Solicitor General, Additional Solicitor General, and Senior Additional Solicitor General before being appointed Attorney General. Jayasuriya studied at Maliyadeva College.[7]
Career
Permanent representative to the United Nations
On 21 March 2025, the Committee on High Posts in the Parliament of Sri Lanka recommended Jayasuriya's appointment as Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York.[8] His appointment was confirmed by the president on 15 May 2025.[9][10]
On 6 June 2025, Jayasuriya presented his letter of credence as the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka, to the Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres.[11]
References
- ^ "CC approves Jayantha Jayasuriya as Chief Justice". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ^ "Jayantha Jayasuriya Sri Lanka's new Chief Justice". www.economynext.com. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
- ^ "Jayantha Jayasuriya appointed new Chief Justice". Colombo Gazette. 29 April 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
- ^ Constitutional Council approves Jayantha as new Attorney General
- ^ "Court has no jurisdiction to hear FR petitions against dissolution: AG - Breaking News | Daily Mirror".
- ^ "Jayantha Jayasuriya Who Argued Sirisena Could Continue Until 2021 Likely to be Next Chief Justice". 23 September 2018.
- ^ Alwis, Kamani. "CC unanimously approves Jayantha Jayasuriya as CJ". Daily News. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
- ^ "Ex-CJ Jayantha Jayasuriya to be appointed Sri Lanka's envoy to UN". www.adaderana.lk. 24 March 2025. Archived from the original on 24 March 2025. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
- ^ "Sri Lanka appoints 7 new diplomats, including to UK & India". newswire.lk. 15 May 2025. Archived from the original on 15 May 2025. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ "Heads of Missions- designate called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism". mfa.gov.lk. 16 May 2025. Archived from the original on 16 May 2025. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
- ^ "Ambassador Jayasuriya presents credentials to the UN Secretary-General Guterres". mfa.gov.lk. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.