Former Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage suspended from work

The Judicial Service Commission has decided to dismiss Mr. Thilina Gamage, the former Chief Magistrate of Colombo and former District Judge of Moratuwa, who was under suspension, from his post. This decision was made because he was found guilty of all charges leveled against him during the disciplinary inquiry.

He, who served as the Chief Magistrate of Colombo for some time, faced a major turning point in his professional career in December 2024. While serving as the Chief Magistrate of Colombo, the Judicial Service Commission suddenly transferred him as the District Judge of Moratuwa. A few months later, in August 2025, the Commission took steps to completely suspend his service.

In December 2024, the same month his sudden transfer occurred, a controversial incident involving his brother, Salochana Gamage, was also reported. Salochana Gamage and two other suspects were arrested that same month in connection with an incident where a bribe of 9 million rupees was allegedly taken to expedite the payment of a portion of the compensation for land acquired by the Urban Development Authority in Torrington Avenue, Colombo.

This is not the first time Mr. Thilina Gamage has been suspended in his role as a judge. Previously, in 2015, he was suspended due to a case related to the illegal possession of an elephant calf. However, he was acquitted of the charges in that criminal case in 2021. After being acquitted of those charges and holding high positions in the judiciary again, he has now been completely dismissed from his post after being found guilty of all charges in this disciplinary inquiry.