Supreme Court decides to hear FR petition challenging Shani’s interdiction

4 May 2024 12:25 pm - 13 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Colombo, May 04 (Daily Mirror)- The Supreme Court granted leave to proceed with the Fundamental Rights petition filed by former CID Director SSP Shani Abeysekara challenging the National Police Commission’s decision to interdict him from police service following the Presidential Election 2019.

Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justices Vijith Malalgoda, Kumuduni Wickremasinghe and Mahinda Samayawardena granted leave to proceed for violating the Fundamental Rights guaranteed under Article 12(1) and 14(1)(g) of the Constitution.

Petitioner Shani Abaysekara stated that just four days after the release of the results of the Presidential Election held on 21 November 2019, he received a telephone message informing that he has been transferred with immediate effect as the Personal Assistant to the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Galle Range.

The Petitioner states that as far as he is aware, this was the first instance in the history of the Sri Lanka Police that a Senior Superintendent of Police was appointed as a personal assistant to a Deputy Inspector General of Police.
The petitioner stated that he is unaware of the reason for his transfer and under the circumstances, such a transfer of the petitioner remains a transfer without reason.

The petitioner states that by the letter dated 7 January 2020, the National Police Commission has directed the Inspector General of Police to interdict the petitioner after transferring him to Police Headquarters with immediate effect.

Shani Abeysekara is seeking a compensation of Rs. 10 million from the respondents for violating his Fundamental Rights.

The petitioner has named former IGP Chandana Wickremaratne, members of the National Police Commisssion, Chairman of the National Election Commission, the Defence Ministry Secretary and several others as respondents.

President's Counsel Saliya Pieris instructed by Attorney-at-Law Manjula Balasooriya appeared for Shani Abaysekara.

Comments - 13

BRING OUT THE REASONS TO THE PUBLIC AFTER THE SUPREME COURT MAKES THEIR RULING Saturday, 04 May 2024 02:50 PM

GOOD MOVE MY THE FORMER CID DIRECTOR. HE NEEDS TO KNOW THE REASON FOR HIS TRANSER AND SO TO UE AS CITIZENS, COULD HAVE BEEN A TREAT TO ANY OF OUR CORRUPT POLITICIANS.

Nelum Wickrsmasinghe Saturday, 04 May 2024 03:05 PM

Wonderful news! I hope those who initiated it will be taken to task. What Shani Abeysekera had to go through after Gotaba ya Rajapakse became President! Within 3 or 4 days of his assention, Shani was demoted, then he is accused of planting weapons at .Gotabaya's friend, DIG Vas Gunawardena's Bungalow, who is on death row, A DIG who murdered people for a fee by the millions, an OIC presurrised by Colombo Crimes Division to lie under oath, Then imprisoned for 10 months during Covid time, without pay. He suffered immensly finally, forced to retire without any fan fare with no pension too.I wonder whether he is getting it now? This was the treatment mete out to a fine officer for doing his job properly and faithfully! I hope and pray there will be justice fo him. May God take care of him!

Aram Saturday, 04 May 2024 03:28 PM

Well done move. A sincere officer was fired by overwhelmed victory of 2019 election,for personal reasons and he was mentally disturbed. He must be compensated and the post with promotion must be given again. Then only law abide citizens of SL will be happy

DOT Saturday, 04 May 2024 04:13 PM

Justice will be there.

UJ Saturday, 04 May 2024 05:16 PM

Brilliant. Every one need to seriously consider why GR was so scared of Shani During the 50 day MR government, even before priminister took oaths, GR got rid of Shani and this was repeated when he became president. Why scared of him, unless the clan were involved with all crimes he was investigating. 'Puhul hora karen dane'

Ram Saturday, 04 May 2024 05:17 PM

This is a very good decision and we can breath well now as the Courts are independent.

How did this family survive? Saturday, 04 May 2024 05:34 PM

A transfer and later interdiction of a Senior Police Officer took place more than 4 years ago. Now it is being challenged! Does this indicate avenues that were closed to the aggrieved party? How did this man and is family survive without any financial support for over four years? Was any official relief provided to this family? Even Covid-19 victims were given food relief!

Justice denied Saturday, 04 May 2024 11:26 PM

Hope he wins the case. Revenge taken on him. Crystal clear.

lion Sunday, 05 May 2024 04:34 AM

Dedicated un corrupt straight forward officer who worked fearlessly for justice was sacked and humiliated just after Gotha won the presidential election and before he was swearing as the president of Srilanka shows the vengeful attitude of Gotha towards Shani Abeysekara. Hope justice prevail and this officer will get justice from the learned judges who hear this case.

VJ Sunday, 05 May 2024 07:11 AM

He was not only terminated from his position, but imprisoned on false charges. People know very well who was the mastermind behind these actions. The IG and the officials of the PC are only the servants who carried out the crime. Hope justice will prevail.

Hubert Silvapulle Sunday, 05 May 2024 02:46 PM

Justice comes s in many forms, not with gown and wig only.

ANNECUNT Sunday, 05 May 2024 04:38 PM

he deserves compensation in billions then he will do a better job

Navi Sunday, 05 May 2024 07:45 PM

Y was Shani interdicted??? For bringing disrepute to the Uniform and/or to the Institution he served??????????????? Is it b'cus of the a phone conversation with an MP when he stated........,, I will even wash Pots

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Supreme Court decides to hear FR petition challenging Shani’s interdiction

Comments - 13

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

Did BASL misappropriate monies sent by JICA for anti-corruption programme?

Proposed wage hike Estate workers appreciated or trapped in election promise?

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Most Viewed in News

Elon Musk to visit Sri Lanka this year to launch Starlink

Col. 7 businessman arrested for assaulting Iranian Ambassador

Ranil meets Elon Musk

A leading hotel in Derby, UK sold to Sri Lankan company

Sajith bars Daily Mirror over liquor controversy

Iran helicopter crash: President Ebrahim Raisi dies

MIRROR CRICKET

Russel Arnold among Australia’s Multicultural Ambassadors

Starc stars as Kolkata thrash Hyderabad to reach IPL final

All teams retained and pre-signed maximum players ahead of LPL auction

Kusal Mendis secures visa to USA after delay

TODAY'S HEADLINES

CB has enough dollars to prevent rising dollar value: Minister

Programme to enhance financial literacy of Sri Lankan migrant workers Organized by the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Singapore

No plans to transfer Sathosa liquor licences to Arjun Aloysius - Govt.

Political parties brace for polls

Russel Arnold among Australia’s Multicultural Ambassadors

Starc stars as Kolkata thrash Hyderabad to reach IPL final

Dulan shatters world record at Para Meet

LPL auction: Matheesha Pathirana breaks record as most expensive player