Mettibandiyegedara Upali Bandaranayaka, Police Sergeant 6061 and 365 others vs. Kodagoda Vithanage Nelson Wijetilake, Chief Inspector of Police, Kelaniya Police Division and 552 others – CA WRIT APPLICATION NO: 0132/20-2022

In the case between Mettibandiyegedara Upali Bandaranayaka, Police Sergeant 6061, Parliament Police Division, and several other Petitioners versus Kodagoda Vithanage Nelson Wijetilake, Chief Inspector of Police, Kelaniya Police Division, the Inspector General of Police, the Attorney General, and others, the issue addressed was whether the Petitioners were entitled to a writ of Mandamus compelling consideration for promotion to the rank of Sub Inspector based on alleged application of inconsistent criteria. It was held that the application was not barred by Article 61A of the Constitution since no direct challenge to a specific decision was made, and that the amended Petition did not constitute a new cause of action or undue delay. The core legal principle reaffirmed is that writ jurisdicti