Delayed appointment of IGP: Petition filed against President

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda  

A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed in the Supreme Court, seeking a declaration that President Ranil Wickremesinghe has violated and infringed upon the fundamental rights of citizens by failing to appoint an Acting Inspector General of Police.

Petitioner R.S.P. Ranasuriya, a lawyer by profession filed this petition naming President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Attorney General as respondents.  
The petitioner is seeking an interim relief restraining President Wickremesinghe from contesting as a candidate for the presidential election scheduled to be conducted on September 21. The petitioner is further seeking an order directing the President to appoint a suitable Senior DIG as the Acting IGP as per the interim order issued by the Supreme Court.  
The petitioner stated that the President has publicly taken up the view that he has no authority to appoint an acting IGP because he is a candidate for the forthcoming presidential election. 
The petitioner stated that while contradicting his own position about his powers under the constitution, the President had appointed Ali Sabry as the Minister of Justice on August 12.  
The petitioner is of the view that the President has violated Article 41(c) (a) part 2 (c) of the constitution by not appointing an acting IGP thereby leaving the security of the people and the country in danger. This petition had been filed through Attorney-at-Law Jayamuditha Jayasooriya.