The “Ampara Code” and Many Complaints: Can Sri Lanka’s Judiciary Really Clean House?

It sounds like dark comedy, but it’s real. Sri Lanka’s courts are buzzing with allegations that a sitting High Court judge has been running his own brand of justice — a bizarre set of rulings whispered about by lawyers as the “Ampara Code.”

Buried Files and Whispered Scandals

The complaints go back years, stretching across multiple postings. Allegations — never independently verified but widely circulated — include corruption, misconduct, and abuse of office. Lawyers claim dozens of petitions against the judge were quietly shelved by the Judicial Services Commission, thanks to political protection during earlier regimes.

The tales are colourful: special favours traded over bottles of free liquor, official vehicles allegedly used like personal taxis, even personal dramas settled through courtroom power plays. For years, critics say, this behaviour was rewarded rather than punished.

Justice by Personal Rulebook

In his current station, the gossip is that this judge now dispenses rulings according to eccentric personal rules. Police officers call it confusing, litigants call it cruel, and the Bar Association calls it a serious problem. Court staff complain that the atmosphere is one of fear, with decisions handed down less by law than by mood.

New Chief Justice Steps In

With Chief Justice Preethi Padman Soorasena newly at the helm, pressure is mounting. Lawyers have petitioned him to unseal the old case files and prove that accountability isn’t just a slogan.

The Other Bombshell: Mountain of Complaints

And as if one “code of law” weren’t enough, another High Court judge has been revealed to have 477 complaints filed against him — a figure so outrageous that some lawyers joke it deserves a Guinness listing. The charges reportedly include falsifying reports and claiming to have concluded cases that were never heard.

This time, the matter has been placed in the hands of Supreme Court judge Janak de Silva, who has been tasked with reviewing the responses and guiding an inquiry.

Which Way Forward?

Sri Lanka’s judiciary is again on trial — not in the dock, but in the court of public opinion. For years, critics have complained of political interference and a culture of impunity. Now, with a new Chief Justice and a mountain of complaints finally surfacing, the question is whether this marks a genuine clean-up or just another reshuffling of robes.