Hettikankanange Nalin Jayalath Perera (born 29 April 1954) is a Sri Lanka judge who served as the 46th Chief Justice of Sri Lanka.

Nalin Perera
46th Chief Justice of Sri Lanka
In office
12 October 2018 – 29 April 2019
Appointed byMaithripala Sirisena
Preceded byPriyasath Dep
Succeeded byJayantha Jayasuriya
Puisne Justice of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka
In office
3 March 2016 – 12 October 2018
Appointed byMaithripala Sirisena
Preceded bySarath de Abrew
Judge of the Court of Appeal of Sri Lanka
In office
July 2011 – 3 March 2016
High Court Judge
In office
July 2001 – July 2011
District Court Judge
In office
July 1990 – July 2001
Magistrate's Court Judge
In office
May 1984 – July 1990
Primary Court Judge
In office
March 1980 – May 1984
Personal details
Born (1954-04-29) 29 April 1954 (age 70)
Alma materSri Lanka Law College

Education and early career

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Educated at St. Thomas' College, Kotte and S. Thomas' College, Gurutalawa, he studied law at the Sri Lanka Law College, passing out in 1977. His contemporaries included Mahinda Rajapaksa and Jeyaraj Fernandopulle. Having taken oaths as an attorney-at-law, he worked under Daya Perera.[1]

Judicial career

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Lower courts

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Perera served as a Primary Court judge from 1980, in Embilipitiya and Welimada. In 1984, he was appointed as a Magistrate. He functioned as the Magistrate of Mount-Lavinia, Walasmulla, Kalutara and Colombo Fort. He became a District Judge in 1990.[1]

High court

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In 2001 he was appointed a High Court Judge and served in Ratnapura, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. He served as a Criminal High Court judge and became one of the first High Court Judges appointed to the newly formed Civil Appellate High Courts in Kandy. While High Court Judge of Ratnapura, he presided over the trail of the murder of Padmasiri Thrimavitharana.[1]

Appeal court

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In 2011, he was appointed a Justice of the Court of Appeal by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Jeyaraj Fernandopulle served until 2016.[2]

Supreme court

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He was appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena as a Justice of the Supreme Court in March 2016 to replace Justice Sarath de Abrew on his retirement.[3] In October 2018, he was nominated by President Maithripala Sirisena to the Constitutional Council for post of Chief Justice on the retirement of Justice Priyasath Dep. Following the approval of the Constitutional Council, he took oaths as the 46th Chief Justice of Sri Lanka on 12 October.[4] After serving six months in office Perera retired upon reaching the age of 65. A ceremonial farewell was held by the Supreme Court on 5 April. Perera's successor, Attorney General Jayantha Jayasuriya was approved by the Constitutional Council on the 26 April.[5][6]

Family

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He is married to Shirani Perera, who is a lawyer. His sister was Justice Sherin Madawala, former Court of Appeal Judge. He and his sister were the first brother and sister to serve in the Court of Appeal.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b c SC judge Nalin Perera sworn in as new Chief Justice of Sri Lanka
  2. ^ "Justice Nalin Perera Takes Oaths As A Judge In The Appeal Court". Target. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  3. ^ "Justice H.N.J Perera takes oaths as a Supreme Court Judge". president.gov.lk. Presidential Secretariat of Sri LankaPresidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  4. ^ Post of CJ: Prez nominates SC Judge Nalin Perera
  5. ^ Sooriyagoda, Lakmal. "Ceremonial farewell for Chief Justice Nalin Perera". Daily News. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  6. ^ "CC approves Jayantha Jayasuriya as Chief Justice". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  7. ^ Justice Nalin Perera sworn in as 46th Chief Justice
Legal offices
Preceded by Chief Justice of Sri Lanka
2018–2019
Succeeded by
Preceded by Puisne Justice of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka
2016–2018
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Judge of the Court of Appeal of Sri Lanka
2014–2016
Succeeded by
Preceded by
High Court Judge of Sri Lanka
2001–2014
Succeeded by
Preceded by
District Court Judge of Sri Lanka
1990–2001
Succeeded by