Solicitor general Suhada Gamlath is to be appointed to the position on an acting capacity.

Several names have been put forward by politicians to be named as the new AG, say government sources.

Chandrika Kumaratunga has named Upul Jayasuriya, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka and minister Rajitha Senaratne have named president’s counsel Anura Medagoda, while president’s counsel Nalin Ladduwahetti has been proposed by some others.

However, Ladduwahetti has declined to accept the position, if given, the sources say.

The president appoints the AG pending approval by the constitutional council.

Justice minister Wijayadasa Rajapakse told Sri Lanka Mirror that it was traditionally a person within the AG’s Department who would be appointed to the position.

Accordingly, those in line are Suhada Gamlath, Jayantha Jayasuriya and Kapila Waidyaratne.

Jayasuriya has decided to take up position as a judge in the Supreme Court, while Gamlath is unlikely to be appointed for political reasons.

Therefore, Waidyaratne, a son of former deputy speaker of parliament Norman Waidyaratne, is likely to be appointed the AG.