FR application of Rupavahini unit Head dismissed

Sandasen MARASINGHE

COLOMBO: The Supreme Court dismissed a Fundamental Right violation petition filed by Ramani Manjula Fernando, the Unit Head of the Debt Recovering Unit of the Marketing Division of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation.

The Bench comprised Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva PC, Supreme Court Justice Shirani Thilakawardana and Supreme Court Justice Andrew Somawansa.

The petitioner cited 11 including Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, Chairman Newton Gunaratne and Deputy Director General (Finance) C.N.W. Dissanayake as respondents challenging the promotion of Ajith Weerakoone, Leslie Priyankara and Chandani Balasooriya to the post of Assistant Accountant grade 3 B.

The petitioner alleged that the marketing scheme had been unjustly and arbitrarily applied in effecting the promotions and requested the Supreme Court to grant the petitioner interim relief by suspending the appointments.

The Court observed that it appeared the marks had been given on the basis of the personal file produced at the interview.

The court observed that the petitioner was the least qualified among the candidates since she had only G.C.E. (O/L) qualifications but the other applicants have had degrees, some had special degrees and others have had relevant qualifications in the field of accounts.

Attorney P. Radhakrishna appeared for the petitioner while D.P. Kumarasinghe appeared for the respondents.