Gunaratne v. Kotakadeniya, Commissioner of Motor Traffic and Others – sllr 1990 volume 2 page 014

In the case between Gunaratne (Plaintiff) and Kotakadeniya, Commissioner of Motor Traffic, and others (Defendant), the court addressed the issue of whether the administrative replacement of lifetime-valid driving licences with a new card-based licence and the imposition of unprescribed fees were legally permissible under the Motor Traffic Act. It was held that the lifetime validity of licences issued before the enactment of Act No. 21 of 1981 could not be lawfully restricted through administrative action, and that any attempt to require renewal or impose additional fees lacked statutory basis. The findings reaffirmed the principle that statutory authorities are bound strictly by the enabling legislation and cannot alter prescribed forms or levy unauthorized fees. This decision relied on re