Trinita Perera v. Jayaratne and Others – sllr 1998 volume 1 page 372

In the case between Trinita Perera (Plaintiff) and Jayaratne and Others (Defendants), the court addressed the issue of an alleged violation of the petitioner’s fundamental rights under Article 12(1) of the Constitution. The court held that the appointment of the 3rd respondent to the position of Sub Post Mistress was arbitrary, unreasonable, and contrary to the approved recruitment scheme, thereby breaching the petitioner’s right to equality before the law. The principle reaffirmed is that discretionary powers under Article 55(1) must operate in harmony with Article 12, ensuring fairness and non-arbitrariness in public appointments. The decision relied on relevant statutes, constitutional provisions, and authorities such as Bandara and another v. Premachandra and Wijesinghe v. Attorney-Gen