Dr. P. B. Jayasundera v. The Attorney General (Jonh Keell’s Case – No. 2) – sllr 2009 volume 2 page 001

In the case between Vasudeva Nanayakkara (and others) and Dr. P. B. Jayasundera (with the Attorney General and other state representatives), the Supreme Court addressed the validity of an order compelling the petitioner to file an affidavit precluding him from holding any future public office. The Court held that the order exceeded its jurisdiction, reiterated that an affidavit filed as a record cannot be withdrawn, and reaffirmed the constitutional separation of powers reserving the appointment of public officers to the President under Article 52(1). The enforcement of fundamental rights, the power to determine public office eligibility, and the finality of judicial decisions were examined, with the holding anchored in the principle that courts cannot usurp executive appointment prerogati