Dr. Asela Gunawardena and others vs Dr. Liyana Arachchilage Tharanga Madubhashini Liyanarachchi – SC Appeal 28/2023-2025

In the matter between Dr. Asela Gunawardena and others and Dr. Liyana Arachchilage Tharanga Madubhashini Liyanarachchi, the court addressed the issue of eligibility for annual transfers of specialist medical officers concerning Board Certification. The court held that the effective date of Board Certification was irrelevant if the certification letter was not possessed by the stipulated deadline. This decision relied on Ministry of Health circulars P4 and P7, emphasizing that documentary proof of Board Certification by the closing date of applications was explicitly required. The key takeaway is that administrative requirements are to be assessed based on documentary evidence existing at the time of the application deadline, irrespective of any subsequent backdating of certifications.

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