Maithripala Senanayake, Governor of the North Central Province and Another v. Gamage Don Mahindasoma and Others – sllr 1998 volume 2 page 333

In the case between Maithripala Senanayake, Governor of the North-Central Province and another, and Gamage Don Mahindasoma and others, the court addressed the constitutional validity of the Governor’s power to dissolve Provincial Councils. The central issue concerned whether Article 154 B (8)(c) of the Constitution empowers the Governor to dissolve a Provincial Council at discretion, or whether such action must be taken solely on the advice of the Chief Minister under Article 154 B (8)(d) and the related proviso in Article 154 B (9). The factual background involved the Governor’s dissolution of the Council following directions from the President, which was challenged as ultra vires. It was determined that the Governor holds a mandatory duty to act on the Chief Minister’s advice in these ci