IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA In the matter of an application under and in terms of Article 17 and 126 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in respect of the violations of Article 12(1) of the Constitution.

CASE NO. SC/FR/311/2019 M.D. Malik Sachinthana, 231/1, Lucasgoda, Tissamaharama.

PETITIONER vs

1. University Grants Commission, No. 20, Ward Place, Colombo 7.

2. Chairman, University Grants Commission, No. 20, Ward Place, Colombo 7.

3. Director, Advanced Technological Institute, Labuduwa, Galle.

4. Director General, Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education, No. 320, T.B. Jayah Mawatha, Colombo 10.

5. Hon. Attorney General, Attorney General’s Department, Colombo 12.

RESPONDENTS BEFORE : MURDU N.B. FERNANDO PC,J S. THURAIRAJA PC,J AND YASANTHA KODAGODA PC,J COUNSEL : Sunil Cooray for the Petitioner Thanuka M. Nandasiri with R.M.N.R Bandara for the 3^rd & 4^th Respondents Ms. Sureka Ahmed, SC for the 1st, 2nd & 5th Respondents WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS : Petitioner on 28^th February 2022

1st, 2nd and 5th Respondents on 14th February 2022 ARGUED ON : 19^th January 2022 DECIDED ON : 9^th June 2022 S. THURAIRAJA, PC