By: Isuru Parakrama
November 30, Colombo (LNW): The Attorney General’s Department notified the Supreme Court that it would no longer represent former Inspector General of Police (IGP) C.D. Wickramaratne and former Defence Secretary Major General (Retired) Kamal Gunaratne, both named as respondents in a crucial fundamental rights petition.
The petition was filed by former Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Director Shani Abeysekera and challenges his suspension and subsequent reassignment within the police service following the 2019 Presidential Election.
The case was heard before a three-judge bench comprising Justices S. Thurairaja, A.H.M.D. Nawaz, and Priyantha Fernando.
During the proceedings, Additional Solicitor General Viveka Siriwardena, representing the Attorney General’s Department, informed the court that the Department would be stepping back from its role in defending the two former officials.
As a result, the court advised both Wickramaratne and Gunaratne to seek alternative legal representation from private counsel.
The petition revolves around Shani Abeysekera’s claims that his fundamental rights were infringed upon when, shortly after the 2019 elections, he was abruptly removed from his high-ranking position as the Director of the CID.
Abeysekera was instead reassigned to a less prominent post as Personal Assistant to the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Galle, a move he argues was politically motivated.
Furthermore, he contends that his suspension from duties, following these events, was an unlawful action that violated his constitutional rights.
The Supreme Court has adjourned further deliberations on the case until February 3, 2024, providing both sides with time to prepare for the next stage of legal proceedings.
