The government has revised the guidelines governing the appointment of President’s Counsel (PC), issuing a Gazette Extraordinary that tightens the eligibility criteria for the country’s most senior legal honour.
Under the revised rules, candidates must have completed at least 20 years of practice as an Attorney-at-Law appearing in the Supreme Court to be considered for the rank. NewsFirst reported that the change removes an earlier provision, contained in guidelines issued on November 24, 2021, that allowed practitioners with 15 years of experience to be considered under special circumstances.
The gazette notification was issued by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake. Applications from eligible attorneys are being called under the new framework, with a submission deadline of August 31, 2026.
The title of President’s Counsel is a mark of professional distinction conferred on senior members of the bar in recognition of their standing and service to the legal profession. Successive administrations have periodically adjusted the qualifying criteria and selection process, and the latest revision raises the minimum threshold of courtroom experience required for the honour.
The move comes amid heightened public attention on judicial and legal-sector governance in Sri Lanka, including a separate government proposal to extend the retirement age of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges.
