W.A.P. Mudunkotuwa and 189 Others vs S. Dadallage and 13 Others – SC FR 364/2015-2015

In the case between several police officers and constables, including members of the Western Band (Petitioners), and S. Dadallage, Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, Government and Democratic Governance, along with other respondents, the court addressed whether the classification of Western Band officers as part of Police Support Services rather than as ordinary police officers violated Article 12(1) of the Constitution by affecting their promotion rights and status. It was held that the existing classification is founded on consistent administrative decisions, government gazettes, and circulars, and does not constitute a breach of fundamental rights. The holding reaffirmed that administrative classifications—when substantiated by historical and legisl