New SC Judge at ceremonial sitting:

Country at beginning of new era

Wasantha Ramanayake

The country is at the beginning of a new era since May 2009 and he is happy at being appointed to the Supreme Court to become a part of the society full of aspirations and expectations as it venture forward observed Justice R.K.S. Suresh Chandra, new Judge of the Supreme Court who was welcomed to the Supreme Court at a ceremonial siting yesterday.

Chief Justice Asoka de Silva, with the Judges of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, High Court, District Court and Magistrate Court participated on the occasion.

It has now become necessary for me to change my role as I have been called upon to perform the onerous task of a Judge of this Apex Court,” Justice Suresh Chandra noted. He said as a practitioner for over three and a half decades he had traversed through the trials and tribulations of a practicing lawyer in the original Courts, tribunals and Appellate Courts. “The responsibilities of a practising lawyer are vivid and many,in meeting the challenges before him. He has to balance the interest of his client with the expectations of the law throughout.”

Justice Suresh Chandra recalling the appointment of Justice Christy Weeramantry to the Supreme Court about four decades age as a member of the unofficial Bar to serve on the Supreme Court noted that the experience he had gained at the unofficial Bar had contributed towards discharge his duties efficiently and immensely.

He pointed out that the appointment of the several eminent members of the unofficial Bar to the Supreme Court from time to time in keeping with the noble tradition of uplifting the quality of the composition of the Court, that enabled to maintain a certain balance regarding the interest of the Bar with the Bench. “Destiny has bestowed on me this great opportunity and I am privileged to be the ‘chosen one’ on this occasion.”

He noted that the Bench and the Bar play a decisive role in the dispensation of justice fulfilling the aspirations of the people which enhances the confidence among the society in the Judiciary.

He further noted that the Supreme Court being the highest forum, where interpretations should be given in such a way which would develop the laws to suit the changing conditions in an ever changing world. He pointed out that according to Dr. Weeramantry there is an internationalization of domestic law around the world. “We must alert our lawyers to this. Sometimes lawyers tend to become very insular,and they are concerned with day to day affairs of their legal practice and tend not to look outside,” he added.

Justice Suresh Chandra stressed the need to broaden the horizons of legal practitioners’ knowledge to keep abreast with the many changes and challenges in the day to day affairs.

Attorney General Mohan Peiris PC for the official Bar and Bar Association President Shibly Aziz PC on behalf of the unofficial Bar spoke welcoming Justice Suresh Chandra.

Supreme Court Registrar M. Jayasekera officiated.