Perera v. Dharmadasa – 1978_79 volume 2 page 287

In the case between Perera (employee/applicant-respondent) and Dharmadasa (employer/appellant), the court addressed the issue of whether an employee engaged in an illegal business—specifically, accepting bets on horse racing in contravention of the Betting on Horse Racing Ordinance—could claim legal relief for wrongful termination and compensation. It was held that relief cannot be granted where the contract of employment is founded on illegality, reaffirming the principle that no cause of action arises from an illegal transaction (“ex turpi causa non oritur actio”). Reliance was placed on statutory prohibitions and established case law, emphasizing that courts will not lend assistance in the enforcement or compensation of claims arising from unlawful contracts.

Colin‑Thome J. — The fact