Former CID director files FR petition seeking reinstatement

• Claims removal from post of CID Director unlawful
• Says has been suspended from service for seven months with no formal inquiry so far

Former Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Shani Abeysekera, who is under suspension from service, yesterday filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court seeking an order reinstating him to his previous position.

He cited the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) Kamal Gunaratne, Acting Inspector General of Police C.D. Wickramaratne, Chairman K.W.E Karalliyadda and other members of the National Police Commission (NPC), and Attorney General Dappula de Livera as Respondents.

The Petitioner alleged that following the Presidential Election held last November, he was removed from the post of CID Director without a valid reason, and transferred on 21 November to serve as the Personal Assistant to the DIG of the Southern Province.

The Petitioner said that after phone recordings between him and former MP Ranjan Ramanayake came to light, he was suspended from his duties on 7 January this year, and claimed that the NPC’s decision to suspend and transfer him is entirely unlawful. He said that seven months after he was suspended from service, there has been no formal disciplinary inquiry.

He sought a ruling from the SC revoking the decision of the NPC, by which he claims his fundamental rights have been violated.

He also sought an order to the NPC to reinstate him to his post as CID Director.