Ceylon Electricity Board vs Hon Athauda Seneviratne – CA WRIT APPLICATION NO. 81/2010-2014

The case between Ceylon Electricity Board and Hon. Athauda Seneviratne (Minister of Labour and Man Power) & others addressed the issue of the validity and scope of an Arbitrator’s award in favor of an employee (the 5th respondent) under the Industrial Disputes Act. It was determined that the Arbitrator acted within the scope of the reference in granting employment benefits and recognizing continuous service, notwithstanding a break caused by dismissal and later reinstatement. The findings established that arbitrators in industrial disputes are entitled to adopt an equitable approach distinct from commercial arbitration, provided actions remain within the bounds of the reference. The application to quash the Arbitrator’s award was dismissed, reaffirming the principle that judicial review wi