Inspector General of Police Cannot Act beyond the Law – Supreme Court

After assuming office as new Inspector General of Police, Pujith Jeyasundara attended a meeting in Killinochi District Secretariat. In this meeting, IGP said that he would be compelled to transfer a Senior Superintendent of Police, Palitha Sriwardene.

Palitha Sriwardene filed a fundamental case in the Supreme Court seeking reliefs:

1) To declare that IGP’s transfer announcement is in violation of the Law and

2) To prevent IGP from acting on his transfer announcement

This fundamental rights case was heard by a Bench comprised of Chief Justice, K.Sribawan and Anil Guarantee.

The Supreme Court determined that IGP has no authority to transfer a high ranking Police Officer, which could only be done by the Police commission. Further, it reads that if IGP act against these basics, it will be considered as a violation of law. On the other hand, if IGP act on his transfer announcement, Senior Police Superintendent concerned can seek legal remedy, the bench declared.