The Administrative Appeals Tribunal yesterday (13) ordered the National Police Commission to promote Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Shani Abeysekara to the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG).

The order was issued following the hearing of an appeal filed by Abeysekara several years ago.

Accordingly, the tribunal ruled that the promotion should take effect from 25 August 2026. The ruling also directed that all salary arrears and allowances lost from the date of his suspension be paid to him.

Abeysekara was arrested in July 2020 and remained in remand custody for nearly 11 months.

However, he was later granted bail by the Court of Appeal. During the period from 2020 to 2024, multiple investigations were carried out against him by the CID, Colombo Crimes Division, and the Police Special Investigation Unit, following which he was cleared of the allegations.

In 2024, Abeysekara was reinstated under the provisions of Circular 3/2018 and was subsequently appointed as Director of the CID.