Pradeep Jayathilaka has been appointed as the new Secretary of the Judicial Services Commission, Justice Ministry sources said. 

Jayathilaka previously functioned as the Additional District Judge of Colombo.

Amila Rathnayake, who functioned as the Acting Secretary of the commission, has been removed from the position. 

The Judicial Services Commission, which was given more authority under the provisions of the 19th Amendment to the constitution, is chaired by Chief Justice K. Sri Pavan. 

There were concerns among some sections of the legal fraternity that Rathnayake had close connections with several top-notch members of the previous administration, including former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajpakasa.

The commission, two days ago, delayed the transfers of Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishantha Pieris and Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya who were hearing controversial cases again top members of the previous regime.