Mani Nuwan Jayawardana & Others vs. D.M.D. Dissanayaka & Others – SC FR. APPLICATION NO. 231/2012-2013

In the case between Oshadha Randika Jayawardana (a minor child represented by his parents) and the Respondents, including D.S. Senanayake Vidyalaya admission authorities and officials from the Ministry of Education, the Supreme Court addressed the issue of whether the refusal to admit the minor child to the school due to the alleged “unlawful occupation of state land” amounted to a violation of the fundamental right to equal protection under Article 12(1) of the Constitution. The holding established that the interpretation of “resident” in the relevant circular (Circular No. 2011/18) does not require legal occupancy, but rather focuses on factual residency as supported by documentary evidence. It was held that the Interview Board was not competent to assess questions of lawful or unlawful