Wijewickrama currently serves as Chief District Court Judge in Judicial District 43. Previously, Wijewickrama served as a District Court Judge in Judicial District 43 and Tribal Prosecutor for the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. Wijewickrama received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from North Carolina State University and his Juris Doctorate from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

Governor Cooper Announces Superior Court Appointment

Roy Wijewickrama earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from North Carolina State University and a law degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

Governor Cooper Announces Superior Court Appointment | NC ...

Wijewickrama currently serves as Chief District Court Judge in Judicial District 43. Previously, Wijewickrama served as a District Court Judge in Judicial District 43 and Tribal Prosecutor for the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians.

Roy Wijewickrama previously served as tribal prosecutor for the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians.

Today, Governor Roy Cooper appointed Judge Roy Wijewickrama to serve as Superior Court Judge in Judicial District 43B, serving Haywood and Jackson counties. Wijewickrama will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Brad Letts.

Tribal Prosecutor elected District Judge by Anthony Brown. Nov. 10, 2010. Tribal Prosecutor Roy Wijewickrama was elected a District Judge for North Carolina’s 30th District on Tuesday, Nov. 2. Defeating Stephen Ellis by more than 4,000 votes, he garnered 53.88 percent of the vote according to the N.C. State Board of Elections.

Tribal Prosecutor elected District Judge

Roy was appointed to serve as Superior Court Judge in Judicial District 43B, which serves Haywood and Jackson counties. He was elected as a district judge for North Carolina’s 30th District in 2010.

Tribal Prosecutor elected District Judge - The Cherokee One Feather

Roy was appointed to serve as a Superior Court Judge in Judicial District 43B, which serves Haywood and Jackson counties, in 2024. He was elected as a district judge for North Carolina’s 30th District in 2010.

2026 North Carolina General Election

2.1 Judicial Candidate Resource Guide 

As superior court judge, he oversees cases involving criminal felonies, the administration of wills and estates, evictions of renters, and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

Served as a District Court Judge in Judicial District 43.

As a District Court Judge in Judicial District 43, he oversaw all felony, probate, and civil cases, authorized naturalization proceedings, and exercised authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

- As superior court judge, he oversees cases involving criminal felonies, the administration of wills and estates, evictions of renters, and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.
- As a District Court Judge in Judicial District 43, he oversaw all felony, probate, and civil cases, authorized naturalization proceedings, and exercised authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

Legal Experience

Chief District Court Judge Roy Wijewickrama agreed. “Most attorneys are looking forward to having a judge in the middle of the judicial district,” Wijewickrama said. “It’s very important to have the geographic diversity that presents.” Wijewickrama said he believes any of the bar’s nominees would have been qualified, good selections for the seat on the bench but noted that Greene was an “excellent choice.”

WNC swears in a new judge

Said an additional judge will immediately help alleviate the area's judicial burden.

Getting a new judge is a crucial step toward ensuring the courts can keep up with the increased caseload that comes with the recent surge in full-time and part-time residents, as well as visitors. Wijewickrama said in a previous interview that he believes the caseload taken on by the new judge will alleviate much of the judicial burden that has plagued the area for years and was exacerbated by the court shutdowns early on during the pandemic. “That additional judge will help a lot right away,” he said.

Believes placing a judge in the middle of the judicial district provides important geographic diversity.

- Believes placing a judge in the middle of the judicial district provides important geographic diversity.

Judicial Administration

As of January 5, 2026, Roy Wijewickrama’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

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Roy Wijewickrama

Served as Tribal Prosecutor for the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians.

“I am honored and humbled to receive the appointment,” said Wijewickrama, who grew up in Haywood County and graduated from Tuscola High School. “I’m very excited to take on this new challenge. It’s a different way for me to serve the community that’s been so good to me over the years.”

New top judge following a shuffle on the bench

Roy Wijewickrama grew up in Haywood County. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from North Carolina State University and a law degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

New top judge following a shuffle on the bench | News ...

Roy previously served as tribal prosecutor for the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians.

RALEIGH

Today, Governor Roy Cooper appointed Judge Roy Wijewickrama to serve as Superior Court Judge in Judicial District 43B, serving Haywood and Jackson counties. Wijewickrama will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Brad Letts.

Tribal Prosecutor Roy Wijewickrama was elected a District Judge for North Carolina’s 30^{th} District on Tuesday, Nov. 2. Defeating Stephen Ellis by more than 4,000 votes, he garnered 53.88 percent of the vote according to the N.C. State Board of Elections (SBE).

Roy was appointed to serve as a Superior Court judge in Judicial District 43B, serving Haywood and Jackson counties. He was elected as a district judge for North Carolina’s 30th District.

Litigated cases in superior court and tried jury cases as an attorney.

Believes geographic diversity among judges within a judicial district is important.

Roy Wijewickrama is from Haywood County, North Carolina. He graduated from Tuscola High School.

Roy is an attorney and serves as a judge for North Carolina Superior Court, District 43B. He previously worked as an attorney for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Roy is currently a superior court judge. He was appointed to the bench in 2024.

As Chief District Court Judge in Judicial District 43, Wijewickrama has extensive judicial experience, having previously served as a District Court Judge and Tribal Prosecutor for the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians.

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Buket Urgen

- The Superior Court Judge hears both civil and criminal cases. Superior Court Judges try civil cases involving more than $10,000. Superior Court Judge hear appeals of misdemeanors and infraction cases that were first heard in the District Court,
- They make decisions on bail, meaning a Superior Court Judge could keep a non-dangerous person in jail before they are convicted by setting a high bail.
- In each district (except Wake County), the most senior judge in years of service is designated the senior resident superior court judge. They are responsible for various administrative duties, including appointing magistrates and some other court officials, and managing the scheduling of civil cases for trial.
- Superior court judges rotate among the districts within their divisions.  
- The Superior Court Judge is elected for 8-year terms. Elections are partisan.

Trial Judge who hears criminal and civil cases