Paudgalika Tha Kamhal Himiyange Sangamaya vs Mr. H.D. Hemaratna – SC APPEAL NO. 47/2011-2015

In the case between Paudgalika Tha Kamhal Himiyange Sangamaya (The Private/Sri Lanka Tea Factory Owners Association) and various respondents including the Tea Commissioner, the primary issue concerned the interpretation and authority under the Tea Control Act, particularly regarding whether the Tea Commissioner possessed the legal authority to fix a “Reasonable Price Formula” following the abolition of the Tea Controller post. The court held that while the Tea Commissioner was empowered to exercise the statutory functions of the former Tea Controller, including price determinations, the circulars issued imposing the formula were ultra vires. However, judicial relief was refused due to significant delay (laches) in filing the challenge, with the court reaffirming that equitable principles c