Chamath Kavintha Gunawardena Vs. J.H.M.W. Ranjith and others – CA WRIT/480/2015-2015

In the case between Chamath Kavintha Gunawardena (Petitioner, represented by next friend Patrick Milton Gunawardena) and J.H.M.W. Ranjith, Principal of Nalanda College, with other Respondents from the Ministry of Education, the court addressed the lawfulness and reasonableness of refusing the Petitioner’s admission to Nalanda College on the basis of religious information indicated in a school-leaving certificate. The holding established that the refusal, based solely on the father’s school-leaving certificate and without consideration of further submitted evidence or materials, amounted to arbitrary, unreasonable, and procedurally unfair action. The principle of natural justice, encompassing fair hearing and consideration of evidence, was reaffirmed as fundamental to such admission process