S.M. Mangala Pushpakumara vs Air Chief Marshal Roshan Gunathilake – CA 448/2009-2012

In S.M. Mangala Pushpakumara v. Air Chief Marshal Roshan Gunathilake and others, the court examined whether the Petitioner’s discharge from the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) under the category “Service No Longer Required” (SNLR), following an earlier minor disciplinary punishment, constituted double punishment, contravening legal principles and the Air Force Act. The Petitioner argued that the discharge was arbitrary, ultra vires, and denied him expected retirement benefits, while Respondents maintained that the administrative discharge was justified and distinct from disciplinary action. It was established that the discharge and disciplinary proceedings were separate, and sufficient cause existed for administrative discharge under prevailing regulations. The application for a writ of Certior