W.M.A. Bandara and others vs. Dr. S. H. Munasinghe and others – CA WRIT/104/2022-2023

In the case between several petitioners—including public health management assistants—and the 1st Respondent, Dr. S. H. Munasinghe (Secretary, Ministry of Health), along with the Public Service Commission and the Attorney General, the court addressed the legality of a Gazette Notice imposing a new minimum marks requirement in the competitive promotional examination for the Public Health Management Assistant Service. The principal issue was whether the Health Service Committee of the Public Service Commission had the authority to introduce a 50% minimum mark criterion by administrative action without amending the approved Service Minute. It was held that the Committee’s decision was an incidental and permissible use of delegated authority that did not amount to an amendment of substantive r