The Attorney General informed the Supreme Court today (29) that he will not represent former Inspector General of Police (IGP) C.D. Wickramaratne and retired Army Major General Kamal Gunaratne, the former Defence Secretary, in the Fundamental Rights petition filed by Shani Abeysekara, the former Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), challenging his suspension.
The petition was heard before a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justices S. Thurairajah, A.H.M.D. Nawaz, and Priyantha Fernando.
During the proceedings, Additional Solicitor General Viveka Siriwardena, appearing for the respondents, submitted evidence to the court. She confirmed that both former IGP Wickramaratne and retired Major General Gunaratne are named as respondents in Abeysekara’s petition, which alleges a violation of his fundamental rights. However, it was announced that the Attorney General would no longer represent the two respondents.
The court acknowledged that the respondents could engage private legal counsel to represent them in the case.
Following this development, the bench adjourned the consideration of the petition until February 3, 2025.
Shani Abeysekara filed this petition seeking a declaration that his fundamental rights were violated. He claims his transfer from the position of CID Director to Personal Assistant to the Galle DIG after the 2019 presidential election, followed by his subsequent suspension, constituted a breach of his rights.
