D. M. C. J. Dissanayaka vs National Water Supply and Drainage Board – SC FR NO. 178/2014-2023

In the case between D. M. C. J. Dissanayaka, W. K. Karannagoda, Hewa Balamullage Chandrathilaka (Plaintiffs) and the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (Defendant), the court addressed whether the petitioners were unjustly denied promotion to the post of Engineer – Class II and whether the alteration of eligibility criteria from 12 years to 17 years of experience was arbitrary, in breach of Article 12(1) of the Constitution. The court held that the petitioners were eligible for promotion under the existing, properly approved Scheme of Recruitment and that the purported revised scheme was not validly implemented. It was established that the Respondents acted arbitrarily, failed to observe proper procedure, and violated the petitioners’ right to equality. The decision reaffirmed the pr