Ven. Lelwala Ariyadhamma Thero vs University of Kelaniya – CA WRT/0389/2021-2023

In the case between Ven. Lelwala Ariyadhamma Thero and the University of Kelaniya (with several academic and administrative officials as respondents), the court addressed the issue of whether a petitioner is entitled to invoke the writ jurisdiction of the court while an alternative statutory remedy under Section 86 of the Universities Act No. 16 of 1978 is available and pending, and whether failure to disclose the invocation of this remedy undermines the application. The application was dismissed on the grounds that the petitioner had already invoked an alternative statutory remedy and failed to fully and truthfully disclose all relevant facts related to that remedy. It was held that such circumstances justified upholding preliminary objections without evaluating the merits of the petition