Herath Mudiyanselage Dilshan Mahela Herath and others v. University of the Visual and Performing Arts and others – SC FR NO. 343/2019-2021

In the case between 52 student petitioners and the University of the Visual and Performing Arts (along with the University Grants Commission and related State entities), the court addressed the lawfulness of the university admissions process to the Faculty of Music, particularly the lowering of the aptitude test pass mark and reliance on Z-scores in light of the UGC Handbook. It was held that the selection process, although involving administrative adjustments such as lowering the pass mark to widen the selection pool, was conducted within the scope of the statutory framework, and did not violate the petitioners’ constitutional right to equality under Article 12(1) or give rise to any enforceable legitimate expectation based on the UGC Handbook. The principle reaffirmed is that policy stat