The nomination of Nalin Perera, presented by President Maithripala Sirisena for the post of Chief Justice, has been approved by the Constitutional Council. 

The Speaker's office said the decision was conveyed to the President, a short while ago. 

The official announcement on the new Chief Justice is expected to be made this evening, Asian Mirror learns. 

Perera, the 6th in seniority among 10 Supreme Court judges, was appointed to the apex court e by President Maithripala Sirisena in 2016. 

Sources from the council said no other names had been received by them so far. 

The Constitutional Council held a meeting this morning to make the final decision on the new Chief Justice's appointment.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan, Chamal Rajapaksa, Thalatha Atukorale, Mahinda Samarasinghe and Bimal Ratnayake are the political appointees of the council. 

Dr. Jayantha Dhanapala, Javid Yusuf and N. Sivakumar represent the civil society. Making the final decision on the  new Chief Justice would be the first official task of the newly appointed members of the Council.