I.G.L. Jayaweera v Geethani Wijegunasinghe et al – CA WRIT/292/19-2021

In the case between I.G.L. Jayaweera (Petitioner) and Geethani Wijegunasinghe (Regional Education Director – Ambalangoda) and others (Respondents), the court addressed the issue of whether the Secretary of the Ministry of Education – Southern Province and other provincial authorities had lawful authority to suspend, charge, and terminate the petitioner, or whether such authority resided exclusively with the Public Service Commission of the Central Government. It was held that all disciplinary actions and resultant orders issued by the provincial authorities were ultra vires and void, as statutory power to discipline and terminate the petitioner was not vested in the provincial authorities. The principle reaffirmed was that a lack of statutory power cannot be remedied by estoppel. The decis