B.A.C Abeywardena and Electroteks C EKE (Private) Limited vs Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka – CA TEL/REG/01/2013-2013

In the case between B.A.C. Abeywardena and Electroteks C EKE (Private) Limited (Appellants) and the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka and K.W.E. Karaliyadde (Respondents), the court addressed the lawfulness of revoking and not renewing the appellants’ television broadcasting license under section 22 of the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act. It was held that the inquiry process preceding the revocation failed to comply with the principles of natural justice, particularly the right to a fair hearing, as the appellants were not given adequate notice of the allegations or the supporting material to respond meaningfully. The judgment reaffirmed that administrative decisions affecting rights must adhere to core natural justice principles, including the right to be heard. Relia