Cases referred to: K. D. G. Wimalaratne vs. Secretary to Ministry of Public Administration, S.C. Application No. 654/95, decided on 9/6/1997; H. A. S. Hettiarachchi vs. Secretary of Public Administration and Home Affairs, S.C. Application 780/1999, decided on 25/1/2001. R. K. S. Suresh Chandra, J.: The petitioners in their application dated 9th November, 2005 have stated that the 1st and 2nd petitioners started their careers at the Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka as Assistant Directors with effect from 3rd June, 1996 and 1st February 1996 respectively. The 3rd petitioner too had joined the said authority as a Training Manager with effect from 1st December 1995 and that thereafter he had been promoted as an Assistant Director with effect from 1st April 1999. By letter dated 8th January 2003 the Chairman of the said authority had appointed the 1st petitioner to cover the duties of Director, National Vocational Training Institute, Narahenpita. The 5th, 6th and 7th respondents were Assistant Directors of the said authority and were in equal status with the petitioners. The next promotion for the petitioners was to the post of Deputy Director.