Prof. D.G. Harendra de Silva and Others Vs. Hon. Pavithra Wanniarachchi and Others – CA WRT/422/2020-2020

Brief
In the case involving Dr. S. D. Jayaratne, Dr. Ananda Samarasekara, and other former Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) office-holders (Petitioners) versus the Minister of Health and related respondents, the court examined the legality of the Minister’s decision to revoke the appointments of the Petitioners and simultaneously appoint new Council members. The primary legal issue concerned whether the removals and new appointments adhered to the principles of natural justice, the rule of law, and constraints on ministerial power, particularly regarding claims of bias and fair procedure. It was held that the Minister’s actions were arbitrary, instituted on the basis of a procedurally flawed and incomplete inquiry, and failed to fulfill the requirements of natural justice. The underlying p