Karawita v. Abeyratne – sllr 1983 volume 2 page 306

In the case between Karawita (appellant) and Abeyratne (respondent), the court addressed the issue of alleged bias within the Agricultural Tribunal and the Tribunal’s failure to provide reasons for its decision. It was held that the appearance of bias on the part of any tribunal member invalidates the proceedings, and the Tribunal’s omission to articulate reasons for its decision constitutes a question of law justifying appellate review. The ruling reaffirmed the principle that judicial and quasi-judicial decisions must be free from reasonable apprehension of bias and must provide sufficient reasoning to support the conclusions reached. Reliance was placed on established common law principles of natural justice and procedural fairness, underscoring that both the appearance of partiality an