brand logo

Shani files FR petition: Challenges suspension and transfer

16 Jul 2020

Former Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Director SSP Shani Abeysekara has filed a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition with the Supreme Court challenging the decision taken by the National Police Commission (NPC) to suspend and transfer him. The Defence Secretary; Acting Inspector General of Police; the Chairman and members of the Election Commission (EC); the Chairman and members of the NPC; and the Attorney General have been cited as the respondents of this FR petition. The petitioner alleged that following the presidential election held last year, he was removed from the directorship of the CID without a valid reason and transferred on 21 November to serve as the Personal Assistant to the Southern DIG. SSP Abeysekara also noted that he was stripped of the special security detail given to him due to the threats to his life. After the recordings of the controversial telephone conversations of former State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake came to light, he was suspended from his duties on 7 January this year, SSP Abeysekara further said. The petitioner claimed that the NPC’s decision to suspend and transfer him is entirely unlawful, while pointing out that formal disciplinary actions have not been taken against him despite being suspended for months. He sought the Supreme Court to rule that his fundamental rights were violated due to the conduct of the NPC and to revoke the said decisions taken by the Commission. Abeysekara further requested the Supreme Court to issue a verdict ordering the NPC to reinstate him in his previous position at the CID and to provide the security detail that was taken away from him. He also sought compensation of Rs. 10 million for the violation of his fundamental rights.  


More News..