Marasinghe Arachchige Mahinda Premalal v. Tissa R. Balalla – CA P.H.C. NO. 232/2015-2021

In the case between Marasinghe Arachchige Mahinda Premalal (Petitioner/Appellant) and Tissa R. Balalla, Peshala Jayarathna (as substituted Governor of the North-Western Province), and other representatives from the provincial education sector (Respondents), the court addressed whether the disciplinary inquiry and subsequent punishment imposed on a school principal adhered to principles of natural justice and fairness. The court held that the denial of the petitioner’s opportunity to call essential witnesses during the inquiry constituted a procedural defect fatal to the fairness of the proceedings. Additionally, the court recognized the need for careful consideration regarding the propriety of admitting spousal testimony in such inquiries. This decision reaffirmed the principle that natura