Athambawa Baroon vs T.N. Hettiarachchi – CA WRIT APPLICATION NO.550/2019-2024

The case between Athambawa Baroon (Petitioner) and officials from the Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education (SLIATE), the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Higher Education addressed the legality of recruitment to the posts of Director I and Director II at SLIATE. The court held that the recruitment process was conducted in violation of the prescribed Scheme of Recruitment (SOR-2008), as appointments were given to candidates who lacked the requisite qualifications in “relevant disciplines.” The decision reaffirmed that statutory recruitment criteria are binding, especially where established for public appointments. Reliance was placed on the SOR-2008 and the underlying legal principle that public authorities are bound to adhere strictly to officially approved recru