IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA In the matter of an application for orders in the nature of Writs of Certiorari and Mandamus under and in terms of Article 140 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Prasanna CA/WRIT/562/2021 Madhusanka Bandara Temple Road, Siriwijayapura, Monaragala.

Petitioner Vs.

1. University of Ruhuna Wellamadama, Matara.

2. Senior Prof. Sujeewa Amarasena Vice Chancellor, University of Ruhuna, Wellamadama, Matara.

3. Saman Chandana Ediriweera Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Ruhuna, Wellamadama, Matara.

4. Mangala Chathura De Silva Proctor, University of Ruhuna, Wellamadama, Matara.

5. Renuka Priyantha Head of the Department, Department of Public Policy, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Ruhuna, Wellamadama, Matara.

6. Upali Pannilage Dean - Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, 7. Prof. S.D. Wanniarachchi Dean – Faculty of Agriculture, 8. Dr. K.G. Imendra Dean – Faculty of Allied Health Science, 9. Dr. H.P. Sooriyaarachchi Dean – Faculty of Engineering, 10. Dr. H.B. Asanthi Dean – Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences & Technology, 11. Prof. L.P. Jayatissa Dean – Faculty of Graduate Studies, 12. Prof. P.A.P.S. Kumara Dean – Faculty of Management and Finance, 13. Prof. I.V. Devasiri Dean – Faculty of Medicine, 14. Prof. P.A. Jayantha Dean – Faculty of Science, 15. Dr. K.G.S.H. Gunawardana Dean – Faculty of Technology, 16. Srimal Wijesekara Member, 17. Isthihar Sufiyan Member, 18. Prof. Chandrani Liyanage Member, 19. Hemanthimala Wanigasinghe Member, 20. K.N. Samarasinghe Member, 21. Sumedha Kulathunga Member, 22. Sudath Jayasekara Member, 23. Mettananda Vidanagamachchi Member, 24. Dr. U.G. Karunaratna Member, 25. Himali Rathnaweera Member, 26. R.C. De Soyza Member, 27. M.G. Punchihewa Member, 28. Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe Member, 29. K.T. Chithrasiri Member, 30. Ven. Babaramde Amarawansha Member, 31. Prof. S. Subasinghe Member, 32. Prof. Sampath Gunawardhana Member, The 6^th to 32^nd Respondents all of:

The Members of the Council, University of Ruhuna, Wellamadama, Matara.

33. P.S. Kalugama Registrar, University of Ruhuna, Wellamadama, Matara Respondents Before : Sobhitha Rajakaruna J.

Counsel : Chamara Nanayakkarawasam for the Petitioner.

Hasini Opatha, SC for the Respondents.

Supported on : 21.02.2022 Written submissions: tendered on behalf of Petitioner: 11.03.2022 Decided on : 23.03.2022 Sobhitha Rajakaruna J.

The Petitioner is a final year student of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the 1^st Respondent University of Ruhuna (‘University’). The Petitioner claims that he was a prominent student activist who did not scummed to the pressure of the Respondents, particularly of the 2^nd to 4^th Respondents who allegedly suppressed the democratic student activities. The Petitioner states that he is the President of the de-facto “Main Union” of the Students’ Unions of the University.

The Petitioner’s studentship has been suspended by a letter dated 15.10.2021, marked ‘P4’, after revealing the fact that the Petitioner has posted a chat message (through ‘zoom’) insulting the 2^nd Respondent Vice Chancellor of the University (‘Vice Chancellor’) and the 3^rd Respondent Deputy Vice Chancellor at the live launching ceremony of the updated website of the faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University. In response to the said decision (‘P4’) of the Vice Chancellor, the Petitioner has written a letter dated 24.10.2021, marked ‘P5’ denying all allegations. The Vice Chancellor by his letter dated 27.10.2021, marked ‘P6’ confirming the decision taken in ‘P4’ has reminded the Petitioner that he had been advised even on a previous occasion not to engage in activities defaming the University.

The Petitioner in this application is seeking for an order in the nature of a writ of Certiorari quashing the said decision reflects in ‘P4’ and the decision contained in ‘P6’. A writ of Mandamus