Balachandra Arachchige Don Nuwan Chathuranga Padmasiri, et al. v. C. D. Wickramaratne, et al. – SC FR/46/2021-2022

In the case between 164 Sub Inspectors (Petitioners) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Public Service Commission (Respondents), the court addressed whether the police promotion scheme P7 violated fundamental rights, specifically regarding arbitrariness, discrimination, and inequitable treatment in the allocation of marks and discretionary promotions. It was held that, although most categories under P7 were compliant with constitutional requirements, the special promotion category—granting unfettered discretion to the IGP—was arbitrary and violated constitutional guarantees under Articles 12(1) and 14(1)(g). The principle reaffirmed was that discretionary powers in public employment promotion cannot be unbounded to the extent that they violate equality and fairness. Reliance