R.I.K. De Silva v. The University Grants Commission and Others – sllr 2003 volume 1 page 261

In the case between R.I.K. De Silva (petitioner) and the University Grants Commission (UGC) with associated university authorities (respondents), the court examined the alleged violation of the petitioner’s fundamental right to equality under Article 12(1) of the Constitution. The dispute concerned discriminatory admission practices at the University of Colombo, where a candidate with a lower “Z” score received admission to the Law Faculty based on sporting achievements, while the petitioner’s transfer application, despite higher academic qualifications, was rejected. The court held that the petitioner’s right to equality was infringed due to arbitrary and vague application of discretionary powers in the admission process. This outcome reaffirmed the principle that university admissions mu