Janatha Estates Development Board and Others v. Kurukuladitta – sllr 1990 volume 2 page 169

The case between Janatha Estates Development Board and an employee (Applicant-Respondent) addressed the issue of whether the termination of the Applicant-Respondent’s employment, following refusal to comply with a transfer order, was justified. It was held that the termination was unjustified, as the transfer order was deemed unilateral, arbitrary, and punitive, lacking procedural fairness. The decision reaffirmed that while an employer possesses the inherent right to transfer an employee, such power must be exercised bona fide and subject to procedural fairness. Reliance was placed on established principles of labour law, emphasizing that any disciplinary transfer must not be punitive or constitute double punishment. The appeal by the employer was dismissed, thereby affirming the Labour T