By Ranjith Padmasiri

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has proposed to the Constitutional Council four names to fill the vacancies in the Court of Appeal.

Among them are the three most senior High Court judges—Gihan Kulatunga, Damitha Thotawatta, and Amal Ranaraja. They were recommended by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya. The fourth nominee is Senior Solicitor General Mahen Gopallawa. He was recommended by Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe.

At present, the CA has five vacancies. Another Judge, Vikum Kaluaarachchi, is due to retire next month.

Meanwhile, Supreme Court judge Vijith Malalgoda retired last Monday, raising the number of SC vacancies to three.