H.M.M. Sedara et al. v. Sri Lanka Tea Board et al. – SC FR NO. 429/2016-2022

In the case between employees (Petitioners, originally recruited under prior service schemes) and the Sri Lanka Tea Board (and related government administrative bodies), the court addressed whether the removal of a previously anticipated promotional path for the Petitioners violated their fundamental right to equality under Article 12(1) of the Constitution and whether the application was time barred under Article 126(2). It was determined that, following the Petitioners’ absorption as “Management Assistant Non-Technical” under a new salary scheme (SOR), any legitimate expectation of promotion had been removed and the cause of action had arisen by 06/06/2012. The findings established that the application, filed on 30/11/2016, was out of time, upholding the preliminary objection. The court