Thilina Gamage dismissed from judicial service following misconduct probe

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has formally dismissed former Moratuwa District Judge and Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage following a disciplinary inquiry. The Commission, chaired by Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, found Gamage guilty of all charges brought against him during the proceedings.

The misconduct allegations stem from a 2015 investigation involving the illegal possession of a baby elephant named ‘Sakura’. It was alleged that the animal was kept using forged permit documentation. While the Attorney General’s Department dropped criminal charges against Gamage in December 2021 due to insufficient evidence, the JSC proceeded with separate administrative disciplinary actions.

Gamage had been under suspension since 2016. His permanent removal from judicial service follows a formal charge sheet issued in June 2025 and subsequent procedural steps. The dismissal is noted as a significant disciplinary action intended to uphold the integrity of the Sri Lankan judiciary.