Colombage Dona Bandulani Basnayake vs. Ministry of Education et al. – SC F.R. APPLICATION NO: 311/2016-2023

In the case between Colombage Dona Bandulani Basnayake (Petitioner) and, among others, the Secretary, Ministry of Education, and officers of the Public Service Commission (Respondents), the court addressed whether the Petitioner’s abrupt transfer from her post as Principal of Nakkawatta National School constituted a violation of fundamental rights under Article 12(1) of the Constitution. It was held that the transfer was wrongful and arbitrary, failing to comply with mandatory procedural safeguards and requirements under PSC Rules 218, 219, and 221, thus violating the Petitioner’s constitutional protections. The court reaffirmed the principle that state officials must adhere to due process and administrative transparency when effecting transfers justified by service exigencies. The decisio