Poddiwela Hewage Thelma Kumari Hemachandra vs Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha et al. – SC FR APPLICATION NO. 457/2008-2011

In Poddiwela Hewage Thelma Kumari Hemachandra v. Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha and others, the court addressed whether the petitioner’s fundamental right under Article 12(1) of the Constitution was infringed when she was prevented from executing her lawful duties as Secretary of the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha. It was held that the petitioner’s right to equality was violated by the arbitrary refusal of the 2nd and 3rd respondents to transfer responsibilities following her lawful appointment. The decision reaffirmed the constitutional protection of public officials’ rights to nondiscriminatory treatment, drawing on documentary evidence and the administrative framework governing local government appointments. Orders were made for the immediate transfer of duties to the petitioner, with compensatio