IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA In the matter of an Application in the nature of Writs of Certiorari and Mandamus under Article 140 of the 1978 Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

1. M. Premasiri, Inspector of Police, No.358/B, Katugodella Road, Galagedara, Padukka.

PETITIONER CA No. CA/Writ/0120/2020 v.

1. National Police Commission, Building No. 9, Bandaranayake Memorial International Conference Hall, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07.

1a. P.H. Manathunga, Chairman, National Police Commission, Building No. 9, Bandaranayake Memorial International Conference Hall, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7.

1b. S.C.S. Fernando, Chairman (Present), National Police Commission, Building No. 9, Bandaranayake Memorial International Conference Hall, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7.

2. Professor S.T. Hettige

2a. M.P.P. Perera, 3. Savithri D. Wijesekara, 3a. S. Liyanagama, 4. Anton Jeyanathan, 4a. G. Wickremage, 5. Y.L.M. Zawahir, 5a. A.S.P.S.P. Sanjeewa, 6. Tilak Collure, 6a. T.P. Paramaswaran, 7. Dr. Frank de Silva, 7a. N.S.M. Samsudeen, (2a – 7a Respondents are the Present Members of the National Police Commission)

8. Nishantha Anuruddha Weerasinghe, Secretary, National Police Commission, Building No. 9, Bandaranayake Memorial International Conference Hall, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7.

8a. Thamara D. Perera, Present Secretary, National Police Commission, Building No. 9, Bandaranayake Memorial International Conference Hall, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7.

9. Hon. Justice Anil Gunarathne, Chairman, Aminiatrative Appeals Tribunal, No. 35, Silva Lane, Dharmapala Place, Rajagiriya.

10. A. Gnanathasan P.C., Memebr, Aminiatrative Appeals Tribunal, No. 35, Silva Lane, Dharmapala Place, Rajagiriya.

11. G.P. Abeykeerthi, Memebr, Aminiatrative Appeals Tribunal, No. 35, Silva Lane, Dharmapala Place, Rajagiriya.

12. C.D. Wikremaratna, Inspector General of Police, Department of Police, Police Head Quarters, Colombo 1.

13. Hon. Attorney General, Attorney General’s Department, Hulftsdorp, Colombo 12.

14.Public Service Commission, No. 1200/9, Rajamalwatta Road, Battaramulla, 15. Hon. Justice Jagath Balapatabendi, Chairman,

Public Service Commission, No. 1200/9, Rajamalwatta Road, Battaramulla.

16. M.A.B. Daya Senarath, Secretary, Public Service Commission, No. 1200/9, Rajamalwatta Road, Battaramulla.

17. Mrs. Indrani Sugathadasa, Member.

18. Mr. V. Shivagnanasothy, Member.

19. Dr. T.R.C. Ruberu, Member.

20. Mr. Ahmed Lebbe Mohamed Saleem, Member.

21. Mr. Leelasena Liyanagama, Member.

22. Mr. Dian Gomas, Member.

23. Mr. Dilith Jayaweera, Member.

24. Mr. W.H. Piyadasa, Member, All of Public Service Commission, No. 1200/9, Rajamalwatta Road, Battaramulla.

RESPONDENTS

BEFORE : M. Sampath K. B. Wijeratne J. &

Wickum A. Kaluarachchi J.

COUNSEL : P. K. Prince Perera with S. Panchardsaran for the Petitioner.

Shehan Soyza, SSC for 9, [Journal entry dated 10th May 2023.] – 13^th Respondents.

WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS : 19.05.2023 (by the Petitioner)

15.06.2023 (by the Respondents)

DECIDED ON : 03.08.2023 M. Sampath K. B. Wijeratne J.

Introduction The Petitioner filed the instant application inter-alia seeking, a writ of certiorari to quash the decision of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (hereinafter referred to as the ‘AAT’), a writ of certiorari to quash the decision of the National Police Commission (hereinafter referred to as the ‘NPC’) and a writ of mandamus directing the 1^st to 12^th Respondents to pay the Petitioner’s arrears of salary for the periods from 20^th February 1992 to 26^th April 1996 and 3^rd October 1998 to 1^st November 2000.

When this matter was mentioned on the 10^th May 2023 to fix a date for argument, the learned Senior State Counsel for the 9^th to 13^th Respondents raised a preliminary objection that Article 155C of the Constitution excludes the jurisdiction of this Court from hearing and determining this application.

The learned Counsel for the Petitioner responded to the aforesaid objection and submitted that he will lim