R M Asoka Ratnayaka vs Director, Health Services of the Central Province – CA PHC 225/09-2009

In the case between R M Asoka Ratnayaka and the Director, Health Services of the Central Province and another, the court addressed the issue of whether the High Court holds jurisdiction under its writ powers to entertain an application for certiorari concerning the transfer of health services staff, in light of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution. It was held that such transfers fall outside the scope of the Provincial Council’s legislative competence, confirming that the High Court lacks jurisdiction over the matter. Furthermore, the court determined that the impugned administrative letter (X8) had been rendered ineffective by a subsequent communication (X12). The principle reaffirmed is that High Court writ jurisdiction does not extend to matters excluded from the Provincial Cou