Sarath Hulangamuwa v. Siriwardena, Principal, Visakha Vidyalaya. – sllr 1986 volume 1 page 275

In the case between Sarath Hulangamuwa (Plaintiff) and Siriwardena, Principal, Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo 5 and others (Defendants), the court addressed the issue of judicial intervention in school admissions, specifically relating to the refusal to admit the plaintiff’s child based on proximity of residence. It was held that the application for a writ of certiorari (and mandamus) was liable to dismissal for undue delay, failure to comply with substantive admission criteria (proximity requirement), non-disclosure of material facts (existence of alternate residency), and the inappropriate use of writ relief for discrimination claims which should instead be brought under fundamental rights proceedings. This decision reaffirmed the principle that extraordinary remedies such as certiorari and