Podinilame (Chief Minister Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council) v. Mathew (Governor Sabaragamuwa Province) – sllr 1996 volume 2 page 082

In the case between Podinilame (Chief Minister, Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council) and Mathew (Governor, Sabaragamuwa Province), the court addressed the issue of the lawfulness of the Governor’s exercise of statutory discretion to remove members of the Provincial Public Service Commission (PPSC) and to reconstitute the Commission. It was held that the Governor’s action in removing PPSC members and appointing others was ultra vires and contrary to statutory and constitutional requirements. The judgment reaffirmed the principle that discretionary powers in public law must be exercised within the bounds of reasonableness, procedural fairness, and for the public good. Reliance was placed on the Provincial Councils Act and relevant constitutional provisions, with emphasis that any removal from pu