Darmasiri vs Western Province Provincial Road Passenger Transport Authority – SC FR APPLICATION NO. 91/2018-2023

In the case between W.A.A.S. Darmasiri, H.R. Suranjith, M.M.U. Maduranga (“Sellika”) (Petitioners) and Thusitha Kularathna and others of the Western Province Provincial Road Passenger Transport Authority (Respondents), the court addressed whether the procurement process for awarding route permits contravened the Petitioners’ fundamental rights under Articles 12(1) (Equality) and 14(1)(g) (Right to engage in a lawful occupation) of the Constitution, particularly concerning an invalid bid by N.D.B. Vitharana. It was determined that the procurement process, including the exercise of discretion by the Procurement Committee under the applicable Tender Guidelines, did not violate the Petitioners’ fundamental rights. This decision reaffirmed the principle that adherence to procedural fairness and