N.H.Palitha Nandasiri v. N. A. T. Jayasinghe and others – SC FR APPLICATION NO.12/2012-2017

In the case between N.H. Palitha Nandasiri (Plaintiff) and, among others, the Inspector General of Police and Ranjith Abeysinghe (Respondents), the court addressed the legality of a disciplinary inquiry and subsequent demotion of the plaintiff. The core issue concerned whether the disciplinary proceedings violated the plaintiff’s fundamental rights under Articles 12(1) and 14(1)(g) of the Constitution due to improper influence and lack of procedural fairness. The findings established that the demotion of the plaintiff was arbitrary, affected by external influence, and disproportionate in its severity. The impugned disciplinary order was set aside, and the court ordered that a punishment proportionate to the actual misconduct be imposed. It was affirmed that disciplinary actions must adhere