N.W.D.T. Nanayakkara vs. North Central Provincial Road Passenger Transport Authority – SC Appeal 37/2023-2025

This appeal concerned N.W.D.T. Nanayakkara (Applicant) and the North Central Provincial Road Passenger Transport Authority (Respondent). The Supreme Court addressed the issue of unfair termination and the appropriate relief, specifically reinstatement versus compensation. The Court held that the Labour Tribunal and High Court erred in denying reinstatement based on unsubstantiated grounds, reaffirming the principle that unfair termination warrants appropriate remedies. This decision relied on the assessment of the Applicant’s circumstances, including her unblemished record, age, and period of remuneration loss, emphasizing that the denial of reinstatement was based on ‘extremely flimsy’ reasoning and misinterpretation of the Applicant’s prayer.

Arjuna Obeyesekere, J. – The appeal was ag