M.M.N. Manchanayake v. National Police Commission and others – CA WRT/0130/2020-2023

In the case between M.M.N. Manchanayake (Petitioner) and the National Police Commission, its members, and other respondents, the court addressed whether writ jurisdiction under Article 140 of the Constitution permits review of decisions of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) despite statutory ouster clauses. It was held that although the decision of the National Police Commission is shielded from review by an ouster clause (Article 155C), no such immunity extends to decisions of the AAT. The court reaffirmed that ouster clauses cannot entirely preclude judicial review where constitutional authority under Article 140 persists, specifically in cases involving decisions by the AAT. This decision interpreted constitutional and statutory provisions including Articles 140, 155C, 61A, and S