Dayawathie and Peiris v. Dr. Fernando, S.D.M. and Others – sllr 1988 volume 2 page 314

In the case between Miss Dayawathie, Mrs Peiris, and added petitioners (as plaintiffs) and Dr. S. D. M. Fernando, Secretary of the Ministry of Health, the Director-General of Health Services, and the Principal of the Post Basic Nurses Training School (as respondents), the core issue concerned whether the resumption of an existing (old) training course by the respondents, contrary to a Supreme Court order mandating merit-based selections free from trade union bias, constituted contempt of court. The court held that although the resumption of the course was technically at odds with the initial judicial directive, the circumstances—including reliance on legal advice, subsequent clarification proceedings, and agreement for a common examination—meant the respondents’ conduct did not disclose wi