Galappaththi Arachchige Nihal vs. Sri Lanka Progressive Front – sllr 1997 volume 1 page 393

In the case between Galappathtthi (Plaintiff) and Bulegoda and Another, representing the Sri Lanka Progressive Front and related entities (Defendants), the court addressed the validity of the petitioner’s expulsion from the Sri Lanka Pragathisheeli Peramune (S.L.P.F.), focusing on whether non-payment of an annual membership fee, under the party’s constitution and established practice, constituted sufficient ground for expulsion. The court held that the expulsion was invalid due to the respondents’ failure to provide the petitioner with an opportunity to be heard (breach of the audi alteram partem rule) and due to inadequate demonstration that the alleged non-payment was a constitutionally valid reason for expulsion. This decision reaffirmed the principle that procedural fairness and compli