K. S. De Silva vs. National Water Supply and Drainage Board and Another – sllr 1989 volume 2 page 001

In the case between K. S. DE SILVA (Plaintiff) and the NATIONAL WATER SUPPLY AND DRAINAGE BOARD and its General Manager (Defendants), the court addressed whether a writ of Mandamus could compel the issuance of a letter of appointment to the post of Accountant, Grade IV. It was held that the position of Accountant is essentially contractual and does not possess the statutory characteristics required for a duty enforceable by mandamus, reaffirming that mandamus is limited to public duties conferred by statute rather than contractual employment rights. The decision relied on established precedents and authorities, including prior statements by Windham, J. and Gratiaen, J., and legal writing such as H. W. R. Wade, emphasizing that duties arising out of contract of employment do not attract the