E R Siriwardane and Others v. H M Gunasekere and Others – NO. 72/2011-2017

In the case between E R Siriwardane and others (Petitioners) and H M Gunasekere, P B Abeykoon, M A Dharmadasa, N Ariyadasa Cooray, E A Samarasinghe, and the Hon. Attorney General (Respondents), the court addressed whether the Petitioners (librarians) were entitled to promotions and benefits pursuant to Public Administration Circular No. 47/1989, despite subsequent regulatory changes that unified librarian services. It was determined that the 1989 Circular had been rendered obsolete by Gazette Extraordinary No. 1.002/13 of 1997 and Circular No. 21/1998, which established a unified librarian service, nullifying any continuing legal right or legitimate expectation under the previous scheme. The application for a writ of mandamus to compel retroactive promotions and benefits under the 1989 Cir