Kirahandi Yeshin Nanduja De Silva & Tikiriyardura Indu Amalka De Zoysa vs. Sumith Parakramawansha & Others – SC FR NO. 50/2015-2017

In the case between Kirahandi Yeshin Nanduja De Silva and Tikiriyardura Indu Amalka De Zoysa (petitioners) and administrative officers of Dharmashoka Vidyalaya, the Director of National Schools, and the Attorney General’s Department (respondents), the court addressed whether a change of residence by applicants, after the submission of a Grade 1 school admission application but before final selection, could lawfully result in the denial of admission under the ‘Chief Occupants’ (Distance) Category. It was held that the denial of admission on this basis, where the change of residence was prompted by circumstances beyond the applicants’ control, violated the constitutional right to equal protection under Article 12(1) and contravened government policy on free and equal access to education as p