Appointment of proposed IRD head cancelled

By S.S. Selvanayagam

Subsequent to two Writ Petitions, the Cabinet of Ministers cancelled the impugned appointment of Central Bank Deputy Governor C.J.P. Siriwardena as the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue.

Senior State Counsel Kanishka Balapatabendi informed the Court of Appeal that the Ministers of Cabinet has cancelled the impugned appointment from outside the Inland Revenue and decided to appoint the senior most officer to the said post of Commissioner General of Inland Revenue.

The Bench comprised Justices P. Padman Surasena (President/CA) and Arjuna Obeysekera.

Deputy Commissioners, Senior Commissioners and others filed the Writ Petitions complaining of the said impugned appointment. They cited the Cabinet of Ministers as Respondents.

They sought the Court to quash the impugned appointment. They also sought the Court to prohibit/restrain anyone or more of the Respondents from appointing any person/officer outside of the Department of Inland Revenue to the post of Commissioner General of Inland Revenue.

Sanjeeva Jayawardena PC appeared for the Petitioners.