P.D.W.K Chandrarathne et al. v. Mahinda Balasuriya et al. – SC/FR/APPLICATION NO 188/2010-2019

In the case between the Petitioners (a group of 109 police personnel, former Police Constables promoted to Sub-Inspectors under a “Time Promotion Scheme”) and key police officials including the Inspector General of Police, the Secretary, Minister of Defence, Public Security, Law and Order, and the Attorney General, the court addressed whether the promotion of Reserve Sub-Inspectors, absorbed from the Reserve cadre without fulfilling the required 8 years of service, violated the Petitioners’ fundamental rights under Article 12(1) of the Constitution. It was held that promotion and seniority rules, as outlined in official circulars, absorption provisions, and a related Cabinet Memorandum, were properly applied, and that the Petitioners’ rights were not infringed. The holding reaffirmed the p