Mampitiya Arachchige Harsha Dammika Perera vs Hon. Gamini Lokuge and others – SC FRA NO. 292/2021-2025

In the matter of the Petitioners (Chief Inspectors of Police) and the 48th Respondent, the court addressed the issue of alleged Fundamental Rights violation under Article 12(1) of the Constitution due to the backdated promotion of the 48th Respondent. The Political Victimization Committee (PVC) recommended backdating the 48th Respondent’s promotion to Chief Inspector to January 1, 2014, a recommendation approved by the Cabinet of Ministers, endorsed by the Public Service Commission (PSC), and implemented by the Inspector General of Police (IGP). The Petitioners contended that they and the 48th Respondent were similarly circumstanced, having joined and been promoted on the same dates, and that the 48th Respondent was not genuinely politically victimized. The court held that the sole reason