Abeywickrema v. Pathirana and Others – sllr 1986 volume 1 page 120

Brief
In the case between Abeywickrema (petitioner‐appellant) and Pathirana and others (respondents), the court addressed whether the 1st respondent, a public officer, could effectually resign so as to remove a statutory disqualification for election to Parliament when the resignation was not processed or accepted by the competent appointing authority as required by law. It was held that resignation tendered to, and accepted solely by, the Regional Director lacked validity absent proper delegation, leaving the 1st respondent subject to disqualification and his election void. This decision reaffirmed that legal resignation from public office requires adherence to prescribed statutory procedures and acceptance by the appropriate authority. The outcome underscored the principle that a public