C. Karunanayake vs. Mannapperuma Mohotti Appuhamilage Thushari Ranga Mannapperuma – SC APPEAL NO. 130/15-2022

In the case between the respondent (the examination candidate) and the appellants (including the Chief Invigilator and other responsible examination authorities), the court addressed whether the negligent conduct of examination officials, specifically the failure to check essential documents and misdirection during a desk re-arrangement, breached the duty of care under the Lex Aquilia, thereby warranting damages for both patrimonial and non-pecuniary loss. It was held that the examination officials’ omissions constituted actionable negligence, leading to the deprivation of the respondent’s opportunity to sit for the General English examination. The legal principle reaffirmed is that under Roman-Dutch law, damages may be awarded for both material and psychological harm resulting from offici