Wanigasundara Appuhamilage Don Dharmasiri Wanigasundara, et al. vs. Kalyani Dahanayake, et al. – SC FR. NO. 180/2016-2017

In the case between Wanigasundara Appuhamilage Don Dharmasiri Wanigasundara and others (public servants/petitioners) and the Public Service Commission and others (respondents), the Supreme Court addressed whether the Public Service Commission’s refusal to backdate the petitioners’ promotion from 02nd October 2006 to 22nd February 2006 was unreasonable and violated Article 12(1) of the Constitution, which ensures equal protection of the law. It was determined that, although the petitioners were promoted pursuant to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal’s order, the effective date of their promotion was not aligned with the later-backdated appointments of other officers. The findings established that this inconsistency in promotion dates constituted unequal treatment. Consequently, the Public