Jayasuriya Hewage Cyril Padmasiri vs Hon. Maithripala Sirisena – CA 315/2012-2014

In the case between Jayasuriya Hewage Cyril Padmasiri and Hon. Maithripala Sirisena (Minister of Health), the National Authority on Tobacco & Alcohol, and the Attorney General, the court addressed the entitlement of the Petitioner to writs of Mandamus and Prohibition concerning tobacco and alcohol regulatory measures. It was determined that the relevant regulation had already been placed before and approved by Parliament, and the Respondents had complied by publishing and implementing the required Gazette. The application was found to have become academic, as the objectives sought by the Petitioner were essentially fulfilled. The case reaffirmed the principle that courts may withhold relief when the subject matter is rendered academic, and relied on the factual outcome that legislative and