Palitha Victor Mendis Rajakaruna et al. vs R. B. Premadasa et al. – SC F/R NO: 32/14-2017

In the case between the Petitioners (Rubber Development Officers, including Ammunugama Wijesinghe Mudiyanselage Nihal and others) and the Director-General of the Rubber Development Department alongside members of the Public Service Commission, the court addressed whether the fixation of a common effective date for promotions violated the fundamental right to equality under Article 12(1) of the Constitution. It was determined that setting 2nd August 2013 as the effective promotion date, irrespective of each officer’s actual eligibility and available vacancies, constituted arbitrary and discriminatory administrative action. The findings established that promotional dates must reflect the period when each officer qualified, contingent on the verification of vacancies and eligibility. This con