Hewa Pedige Ranasingha vs Secretary, Ministry of Agricultural Development and Agri Services – SC APPEAL 177/2013-2018

In the case between Hewa Pedige Ranasingha and others (Plaintiff-Petitioners) and the Secretary, Ministry of Agricultural Development and Agri Services and others (Defendant-Respondents), the court addressed the validity and reviewability of a competitive examination for the recruitment of Agricultural Officers. The court held that the Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction to entertain a petition seeking to quash the examination process, given that the examination had been conducted by the Secretary on behalf of the Public Service Commission pursuant to constitutional authority. The holding reaffirmed the principle that jurisdictional bars under Article 61A of the Constitution, as amended, expressly preclude judicial review of acts performed under delegated authority in these circumstances.