The Supreme Court today granted permission to personally name former President Maithripala Sirisena as a respondent in a fundamental rights petition filed by IGP Pujith Jayasundara seeking a court order declaring the decision to send him on compulsory leave is unconstitutional.

The Fundamental Rights petition filed by the IGP was taken up by the three-member panel of judges comprising of Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, S. Thurairajah and Gamini Amarasekera today (03).

After considering the submissions of the petitioner the case was adjourned until the 26th of May.

On 29th April 2019, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara was handed Compulsory Leave over investigations on the Easter Day attacks.

Hence, the IGP filed an FR petition with the Supreme Court citing the Speaker of Parliament, members of the Constitutional Council, the Attorney General, the acting Inspector General of Police and several others as the respondents.

The IGP stated that he was sent on compulsory leave in the backdrop of Easter Sunday attacks as per the orders of the President, however, this has violated his fundamental rights since the President is not is the disciplinary authority. He added that the decision to send him on compulsory leave is completely against the law as the President is not vested with such powers.

He has sought the Supreme Court to hear the petition and to deliver an interim order to void the decision to send him on compulsory leave until the hearing concludes.