The former Inspector General of Police, Chandana Wickremaratne, was found to have violated the Fundamental Rights of the former Officer in Charge (OIC) of Thelikada Police station in the Galle District. The Supreme Court, consisting of Justices Vijith Malalgoda, Mahinda Samayawardena, and Arjuna Obeysekera, stated that the transfer of the OIC from Thelikada Police Station was unreasonable and against Article 12(1) of the Constitution.
However, the court decided not to order the reinstatement of the Petitioner to Thelikada Police Station since he is currently serving as an Officer in Charge at another police station.
The Petitioner, Chief Inspector K.M.L. Janaka Priya, who is currently stationed at the Kataragama Police Station, named IGP C.D. Wickramaratne, State Minister of Coast Conservation Mohan Priyadarshana De Silva, Minister of Public Security Sarath Weerasekara, Public Service Commission, and others as respondents in the case.
The Petitioner claimed that his transfer from Thelikada Police Station to Tangalle Police Division was not due to service requirements but rather a result of political victimization. The alleged perpetrators, who are involved in illegal sand mining in Gin Ganga, illegal logging in the forests of Thelikada Police area, and other crimes, influenced the transfer.
Senior Counsel Darshana Kuruppu represented the Petitioner, while Deputy Solicitor General Ganga Wakistaarchchi appeared on behalf of the respondents.
