SriLanka, Sept. 9 -- The Supreme Court has declared null and void the special promotions granted in 2010 to three Chief Inspectors (CIs) to the rank of Assistant Superintendents (ASP), ruling that the Cabinet decisions behind the elevations were unlawful and violated the Constitution. A three-judge Bench comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena with Justices Mahinda Samayawardhena and Sampath Wijeratne delivered the judgement yesterday in a fundamental rights application filed by 33 Chief Inspectors.

The Court held that three Cabinet decisions dated July 28, 2010, which granted the special promotions, were inconsistent with Article 12(1) of the Constitution. It accordingly declared the decisions null and void and of no force or a...