16 Judges Appointed For Supreme Court Duties

Sixteen sitting judges for the Supreme Court have been ap­pointed on an ad hoc basis.

Minister for Justice Siromi Tur­aga was updating Parliament in a written response on the total num­ber of High Court judges in the country.

Mr Turaga said there were 12 ap­pointed ad hoc sitting judges on the Court of Appeal panel.

Justice Filimoni Jitoko is the president of the Justice of Appeal, while Justice Prematilaka and Jus­tice Isikeli Mataitoga each hold the position of Resident Justice of Ap­peal.

For High Court, Mr Turaga said that to date, there were 25 approved judge positions, inclusive of the po­sition of the Chief Justice.

Of these 25 positions, 23 have been filled, and two remain vacant.

“Prior to September 2023, there were 21 judge positions vacant. In 2023, eight local judges were ap­pointed, with four of the appoin­tees in acting positions.

“As of date, three judges have ei­ther resigned or completed the du­ration of their contracts.”

Mr Turaga said the Western Divi­sion comprised three civil judges.

They are: Justice Lyone Senevi­ratne, Justice Anare Tuilevuka, and Justice Mohammed Mackie.

The three criminal judges in the Western Division are: Justice Riyaz Hamza, Justice Sunil Sharma, and Justice Aruna Aluthge.

There is also one Master of the High Court who is based in Lau­toka.

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