Ajith Kumara Ekanayake and Others Vs. National Police Commission and Others – 331/2019-2019

In the case between the substituted petitioners (widow and daughter of the late Ajith Kumara Ekanayake) and the National Police Commission, Inspector General of Police, Administrative Appeals Tribunal, and others, the court addressed the issue of whether reinstatement to service should be retrospective with back wages and promotions or limited to prospective effect without such benefits. It was held that the application became futile due to the petitioner’s death and the impracticality of compliance with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal’s order, affirming that the grant of prerogative writs is discretionary and cannot be issued in situations where orders have become impossible to execute. This decision relied on established administrative law principles and authorities, emphasizing that