Three Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions have been filed before the Supreme Court by 170 Chief Inspectors and Inspectors of Police, challenging the recent promotion of 45 officers to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) through a limited competitive examination.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), the newly promoted ASPs, and members of the National Police Commission (NPC) have been named as respondents in the petitions, which were filed by Attorney-at-Law Manjula Balasooriya, according to an Ada Derana reporter.
The petitioners argue that the promotions, announced on September 25, were granted solely based on the results of the limited competitive examination. They allege that one of the examination papers had been leaked and that the results were released after an unusual and deliberate delay.
They further contend that, unlike in previous years where promotions to the ASP rank were primarily based on seniority, this round placed exclusive emphasis on academic performance, ignoring professional qualifications and experience.
The petitions also allege several irregularities in the conduct of the examination. Accordingly, the petitioners seek a Supreme Court declaration that their fundamental rights have been violated and request an order to annul the examination results.
