Prof. J. W. Wickramasinghe v. The University of Sri Jayawardenapura and Others – sllr 2004 volume 1 page 321

In the case between Prof. J. W. Wickramasinghe (plaintiff) and the University of Sri Jayawardenapura, the University Grants Commission, and others (defendants), the court addressed whether the curtailment of the plaintiff’s approved sabbatical leave and the demand for his premature resumption of duties constituted a violation of his right to equality under Article 12(1) of the Constitution. The court held that the plaintiff possessed a legitimate expectation, based on the University Grants Commission’s approval under Circular No. 408, to remain on full sabbatical leave until the agreed date. The unilateral rescission by the University was found to be arbitrary and incompatible with constitutional guarantees of equality. The judgment reaffirmed the principle that arbitrariness contravenes e