Bamunu Arachchige Sadew Nethum Ganganatha vs Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Hon. Minister of Education – SC FR 448/2019-2025

In Bamunu Arachchige Sadew Nethum Ganganatha and Bamunu Arachchige Sujith Ganganatha v. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam (Minister of Education) and others, the Supreme Court addressed the alleged infringement of Article 12(1) of the Constitution concerning the denial of admission of a minor to Grade 1 at Royal College, Colombo. The central legal issue involved the use and amendment of an administrative circular, notably the introduction of an arbitrary lease registration cut-off date, which affected applicants under the “children of residents in close proximity” category. It was determined that the application of this cut-off date, without due regard to applicants’ sustained residence or a transparent process, constituted discrimination and violated fundamental rights. Established principles of pr