Karavita and Others and Welikanna v. Inspector General of Police and Others – sllr 2002 volume 2 page 287

In the case between Karavita and others (petitioners, police officers seeking promotion) and Welikanna, the Inspector-General of Police, the Public Service Commission, and others (respondents), the issue concerned the legality of the process adopted by the Public Service Commission (PSC) in making promotions to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). The central holding established that the PSC is legally bound to make promotions based on the original marks sheet (P5), reflecting objective assessment and merit, and that reliance on an amended marks sheet (4R1)—without adequate explanation and in deviation from proper procedure—constituted a breach of public law duty. This decision reaffirmed the principle that public authorities must adhere strictly to prescribed selection pr