W.D. Senaviratne vs University of Sri Jayawardenepura – CA WRIT APPLICATION NO.888/2009-2012

In the case between W.D. Senaviratne (Plaintiff) and the University of Sri Jayawardenepura, its Council, Vice Chancellor, and the University Grants Commission (Defendants/Respondents), the court addressed the issue of entitlement to writs of Certiorari and Mandamus regarding the appointment to the post of Senior Lecturer, Grade II. It was held that, given the University Council’s resolution not to make any appointment to the position and the petitioner’s unsuccessful attempts at interviews, the issuance of a writ of Mandamus was not warranted and would be futile. The principle reaffirmed is that relief by way of writ will not be granted when supervening events have rendered such relief ineffective or purposeless. This decision emphasized established judicial discretion in the issuance of p