T.M. Samantha Lalinda Priyadharshaka et al. vs Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka et al. – CA APPLICATION NO. 1047/2008-2015

In the case between T.M. Samantha Lalinda Priyadharshaka and others (petitioners) and Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka and others (respondents), the court addressed issues including the lawfulness of the respondents’ refusal to permit petitioners’ continuation to the final year of the B.Sc. Agri Business Management (General) External Degree, the existence of a legitimate expectation arising from university representations, and whether procedural fairness was breached by withdrawing the program without affording a hearing. It was held that withdrawal of the external degree program after petitioners had advanced through prior stages, based on prospectus assurances and official correspondence, violated principles of legitimate expectation and natural justice. The principle reaffirmed was