Sections of the legal fraternity have raised concerns that Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishantha Pieris's transfer as the District Judge of Matara will have an adverse impact on the magisterial inquiry of Wasim Thajudeen's case. 

Pieris is expected to assume duties of his new position from January 01, 2016. 

When the case was taken up for hearing on December 10, the Additional Magistrate said he would deliver the verdict of the case after analysing two JMO reports presented on the case. 

The next hearing of the case is fixed for mid-january. 

There are widespread speculations that a new judge will need more time to examine reports and arrive at a conclusion with regard to the case. delaying the verdict of the magisterial inquiry significantly.  

In this context, President Maithripala Sirisena has received multiple requests from various parties  to mete out justice in the case by delaying the proposed transfer of Pieris by at least by six months. 

However, with the setting up of the Judicial Services Commission under the provisions of the 19th Amendment, the Executive has lost its clout in the matters concerning the judiciary and, therefore, the President is not in a position to take any direct steps to prevent judicial transfers.

Sources from the President's Office said President Sirisena was exploring the possibility of resolving the issue and expediting the magisterial inquiry.