Police Commission asked to promote SSP

Sandasen Marasinghe

COLOMBO:The Supreme Court yesterday directed the National Police Commission to consider the appointment of Senior Superintendent of Police Lancelot Perera to the post of Deputy Inspector General in terms of the law.

The Bench comprising Supreme Court Justices Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake, N.E. Dissanayake and Jagath Balapatabendi directed the NPC after considering a Fundamental Right application filed by Police Department’s Music Director Lancelot Perera. The petitioner has cited the NPC and 25 others as respondents.

He complained to the Supreme Court that he was not appointed to the post of DIG and sought a declaration that his rights guaranteed by the article 12(1) of the Constitution of Sri Lanka were violated.

Perera submitted that he had an unblemished career as the Director Music and was the most senior SSP in the Police Department.

He submitted although he was qualified enough to be promoted to the post of DIG, ten other SSPs who were junior to him were promoted to the rank of DIG.

Senior State Counsel Viraj Dayaratne making his written submission before the Court stated the petitioner’s duty was not an ordinary Police duty but a special purpose duty.

Post of DIG being the highest managerial post in the Department, SSP Perera had no experience to hold such a post.

Petitioner in his written submission stated that he involved as a riot drill trainer at the Police Department and was engaged in Police duties during the 1994 election. He was also a commandant of the Police Field Force.

A letter dated August 3, 2006 sent to the Supreme Court by the NPC Secretary stated that 11 SSPs were promoted to the rank of DIG but five of them had already retired and vacancies to the post of DIG existed.

Considering the material the Supreme Court held that the rights of the petitioner guaranteed by article 12(1) has been violated and directed the NPC to consider the appointment of the petitioner to the post of DIG according to the law.

President’s Counsel Dr. Jayantha de Almeda with Attorney Kishali Pinto Jayawardena appeared for the petitioner. President’s Counsel S.B. Walgampaya with Attorney S.M.C. Subasinghe and Senior State Counsel Viraj Dayaratne appeared for the respondents.