Police promotions challenged

Wasantha RAMANAYAKE

Some 311 Police sergeants filed a Fundamental Rights application in the Supreme Court against the recent Police promotions given to the rank of sub inspectors.

The petitioners, Police sergeants, complained to the Supreme Court that the promotions of 71 Police sergeants to the rank of sub inspectors were made illegally, over and above the petitioners. They stated that the promotions were illegal and in violation of their Fundamental Rights.

They stated that the petitioners were clearly more qualified and eligible to be promoted to the rank of Sub Inspectors than the 71 respondent who were promoted. They stated that the 71 respondents were promoted solely on the basis that they had challenged a round of promotions given in 2007 in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.

The petitioners sought to annul the decisions of the respondents to promote 71 respondent Police sergeants to the rank of Sub Inspectors and for a declaration that their rights have been violated by the respondents.

In the alternative petitioners are seeking to be promoted to the rank of Sub Inspectors of Police with immediate effect. They were also seeking interim relief restraining the respondents from filling the remaining cadre of Sub Inspectors.

The petitioners cited 79 respondents including the IGP, the National Police Commission, the Defence Ministry Secretary and the Attorney General as respondents. Attorney-at-Law G.G. Arulpragasam filed the petition.