Mampitiya Arachchige Harsha Dammika Perera vs Hon. Gamini Lokuge & others – SC FR 292/2021-2025

The court addressed whether the backdating of the 48th Respondent’s promotion constituted unequal treatment in violation of Article 12(1) of the Constitution. The main issue involved assessing the legitimacy of the backdating process and the authority utilized to effect such a promotional benefit, especially where the Petitioners possessed identical service records to the beneficiary. It was determined that the promotion backdating, originating from recommendations of a Political Victimization Committee and implemented through Cabinet and administrative channels, was unjustified and discriminatory. Consequently, the process infringed upon the Petitioners’ constitutional equality rights. The relevant precedent cited was Article 12(1) on equality before the law, with the outcome reinforcing