Prof. Arjuna Parakrama vs University of Peradeniya – CA APPLICATION NO. 859/09-2013

In the case between Prof. Arjuna Parakrama and University of Peradeniya (with university officials and council members as additional parties), the court examined the legality of the University Council’s refusal to accept the petitioner’s withdrawal of his resignation during the notice period for the post of Professor of English. The court held that the Council acted unreasonably and without proper legal basis in rejecting the withdrawal, granting the writs of Mandamus and Prohibition sought by the petitioner. The decision reaffirmed the principle that an administrative authority must act reasonably and adhere to procedural fairness, relying on the doctrine of “Wednesbury unreasonableness” and established authorities on administrative law. It was emphasized that procedural technicalities ca