SI granted leave to proceed

Wasantha Ramanayake

The Supreme Court yesterday granted Leave to proceed with a fundamental rights application by Sub Inspectors of Police seeking to nullify IP promotions allegedly made in violation of petitioners’ rights.

The Bench comprised Justice Nihal Jayasinghe, Justice Andrew Somawansa and Justice Jagath Balapatabendi.

The petitioners, 195 Sub Inspectors stated that the circular issued by the Inspector General of Police calling applications from the Sub Inspectors who had been promoted to the rank before February 1, 2006, to be promoted as IPs.

The petitioners stated that however, 163 Sub Inspectors had been promoted to the rank of Inspector. The petitioners alleged that some of the promoted were junior to the petitioners in rank of SI and it was unfair by the petitioners and in violation of petitioners’ rights.

The petitioners argued that it would further confuse the seniority of the petitioners in the service.

The petitioners sought to nullify the promotions and to conduct fresh interviews for the selection of Sub Inspectors.

President’s Counsel D.S. Wijesinghe and J.C. Weliamuna appeared for the petitioners.

The hearing was fixed for January 30, 2008.