Wickramanayake and Another vs. Inspector General of Police and Others – sllr 2019 volume 2 page 515

In the case between Wickramanayake and Another (Petitioners) and the Inspector General of Police and Others (Respondents), the issue concerned the alleged infringement of fundamental rights under Article 12(1) of the Constitution. Specifically, the dispute addressed whether orders to release suspects and material, contrary to statutory provisions, and the subsequent transfers and disciplinary action against police officers were lawful. It was held that the acts of the 1st and 3rd Respondents were contrary to law and arbitrary, violating the petitioners’ constitutional rights. Transfers were declared null and void, and compensation was ordered to the petitioners. The court reaffirmed the principle that public officers cannot be compelled to comply with illegal orders and that action against