Dr. Liyana Arachchillage Tharanga Madubhashini Liyanarachchi v. Dr. Asela Gunawardena et al – CA WRIT APPLICATION NO: 296/21-2021

In the case between Dr. Liyana Arachchillage Tharanga Madubhashini Liyanarachchi (Petitioner) and Dr. Asela Gunawardena with Ministry of Health officials (Respondents), the court addressed whether retrospective Board Certification as a Specialist qualifies a candidate for inclusion in the 2021 Annual Specialist Medical Officer Transfer list despite the subsequent issuance of the official certificate after the stipulated cut-off date. The court held that Board Certification retrospectively effective from an earlier date fulfills the eligibility criteria under the governing notification, emphasizing that physical possession of the certificate by the cut-off date is not required unless expressly stated. Reliance was placed on the principle established in Dr. Preethi Weerasekera vs. Dr. Reggie