Mangala Kanthi Ratnayake Vs. Sri Lanka Transport Board & Chief Regional Manager – CA WRIT APPLICATION 590/2010-2012

In Mangala Kanthi Ratnayake v. Sri Lanka Transport Board and Chief Regional Manager, Sri Lanka Transport Board, the court addressed whether the petitioner was entitled to a writ of certiorari to quash the retirement letter (P5) and circular (P8) related to compulsory retirement at age 55. It was held that the withdrawal of the impugned circular (P8) rendered its challenge moot, and the retirement decision based on existing regulations and staff needs was found neither illegal nor irrational. The principle reaffirmed was that extension of public service beyond retirement age is discretionary and not a right, dependent on substantive need and compliance with statutory standards. This decision relied upon the Public Enterprises Circular No. 52 and associated administrative regulations, emphas