S.P.Dias and others vs Asela Gunawardena The Director General of Health Services and others – CA WRIT/63/2022-2022

In the case between several Petitioners, including Medical Officers of the Sri Lanka Medical Service (e.g., Dr. T. P.P. Lokuge, Dr. D.M. M. B. Dissanayake), and Respondents comprised of the Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health, and related officials, the court addressed the legality of transfers or assignments of Medical Officers executed via the Replacement List under the Annual Transfer Scheme. The primary legal issue was whether such transfers, not expressly approved by the Public Service Commission (PSC) or its Health Services Committee, contravened constitutional provisions and exceeded delegated authority. It was held that the assignments in question constituted temporary arrangements under exigencies of service rather than permanent transfers requiring adherence t