Pathiraja v. Mannapperuma, Secretary Ministry of Public Administration, Management and Reforms and Others – sllr 2005 volume 1 page 141

Brief
In the case between Pathiraja (petitioner) and Mannapperuma, Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration, Management and Reforms (first respondent), the court addressed whether the petitioner’s absence from official duties, undertaken to pursue postgraduate studies abroad without obtaining the necessary leave under the Establishments Code, infringed the petitioner’s rights under Article 12(1) of the Constitution. The court held that the failure to obtain required approval from the Secretary, as stipulated by the Establishments Code, justified the rejection of the petitioner’s subsequent application for promotion and the dismissal of the claim for relief. This decision reaffirmed the principle that strict adherence to prescribed administrative procedures is essential for public offic