Warushamannadi Saman de Silva and Yamuna Subhashini Dissanayake v. S.S.K. Aviruppola et al. – SC FR. 19/2015-2016

Brief
In the case between Warushamannadi Saman de Silva and Yamuna Subhashini Dissanayake (on behalf of Chathuni Malintha de Silva) and S.S.K. Aviruppola (Principal, Visakha Vidyalaya) and others, the court addressed whether the denial of Grade 1 admission to the petitioners’ daughter by Visakha Vidyalaya was arbitrary and in contravention of fundamental rights under Article 12(1) of the Constitution. It was held that the process of allocating and subsequently deducting marks for admission lacked evidentiary basis and was arbitrary, particularly regarding proximity and the existence of another school. This reaffirmed the principle that statutory admissions criteria under Circular No. 23/2013 must be applied reasonably, transparently, and without discrimination. The decision relied on the C