Handunkutti Pedige Chandana Kumara Jayawandala vs Tikiri Kobbekaduwa – CA WRIT/383/2020-2020

In the case between Handunkutti Pedige Chandana Kumara Jayawandala, Chairman, Mawanella Pradeshiya Sabha (Petitioner) and Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, Governor, Sabaragamuwa Province, and Herath Mudiyanselage Rohana Anura Kumara, Retired Judicial Officer, Governor’s Secretariat of Sabaragamuwa Province (Respondents), the court addressed whether the Governor possessed legal authority to initiate and continue disciplinary proceedings against the Petitioner during the period of dissolution of the Provincial Council. It was determined that proceeding with the disciplinary inquiry, while the court’s decision on the Governor’s vires remained pending, would contravene prior court orders and risk prejudicing the core legal issue. The court held that interim relief should be granted halting further proceedi