Wijerathne Mudiyanselage Mithila Sheyamani Kumarihamy & Himanshi Abeysiriwardane Senarath vs. The Principal, Mahamaya Balika Vidyalaya, Kandy & Others – SC FR NO. 661/10-2012

In the case between Wijerathne Mudiyanselage Mithila Sheyamani Kumarihamy and Himanshi Abeysiriwardane Senarath (petitioners) and the Principal of Mahamaya Balika Vidyalaya and others (respondents), the court examined whether the school admission process, specifically the allocation of marks for residence under the school admissions circular, violated Article 12(1) of the Constitution. It was held that the reduction of marks was appropriate due to the absence of the petitioners’ names in the relevant electoral register, and the School Selection Committee had no discretion to award marks otherwise. The principle reaffirmed was that administrative authorities are bound by the express terms of statutory requirements, and courts will not interfere where procedures are lawfully observed. Relian