Natasha Dulmi Hewagama v. Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education et al. – SC FR. APPLICATION NO. 73/2012-2014

In the case between Natasha Dulmi Hewagama (“Vikumsiri”) and the Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, and others, the court addressed whether the process for admission to the Medicine and Dental Surgery faculties, as defined by the University Grants Commission’s handbook, contravened the petitioner’s fundamental rights under Article 12(1) of the Constitution. The findings established that the criteria for selection, including All Island Merit, District Merit, and Special Grounds, were applied correctly and that the petitioner’s interpretation of the handbook was erroneous. The application for relief was dismissed, upholding the principle that precise adherence to prescribed admission criteria does not constitute a violation of equality rights. Relevant statutory guidelines and previous