Dr. (Mrs.) Elizabeth Manel Dassanayake vs. K.E. Karunathilake and others – SC FR. APPLICATION NO. 267/2010-2016

Brief
In the case between Dr. (Mrs.) Elizabeth Manel Dassanayake (Petitioner) and officials of the Ministries of Agriculture and Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services, Public Service Commission, among others (Respondents), the court addressed the issue of whether the petitioner was unfairly disadvantaged due to improper application of the approved Public Service Commission marking scheme during the appointment process for the post of Director – Horticulture, Crop Research and Development Institute, Gannoruwa. It was held that the petitioner had been denied equal protection under Article 12(1) of the Constitution, as evidenced by errors in calculating assessment and interview marks, and therefore was entitled to promotion and compensation. The decision reaffirmed the principle that