Dharmaratne and Another v. Sri Lanka Export Development Board and 13 Others – sllr 1995 volume 2 page 324

In the case between Assistant Directors of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (petitioners) and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board with several promoted internal candidates (respondents), the court addressed the legality and fairness of the internal promotion process for Deputy Director, Grade 2 positions. The central issue concerned whether the use of multiple criteria—including seniority, additional qualifications, experience, performance, communication skills, and managerial ability—was applied rationally, and whether the lack of a formal performance appraisal or recruitment scheme breached the petitioners’ fundamental rights under Article 12(1) of the Constitution. It was determined that, despite minor flaws, the Board’s promotion process was conducted within permissible discre