Greentech Consultants (Pvt) Limited vs. P.W.G.S.S. Perera, Labour Officer, Colombo East District Labour Office and others – CA WRIT NO.52/2023-2023

In the case between Greentech Consultants (Pvt) Limited and the Labour Officer (P.W.G.S.S. Perera) with others, the court addressed the issue of whether the 4th respondent, an independent consultant, ought to be classified as an employee for statutory obligations imposed on the petitioner. It was held that interim relief should be granted, restraining enforcement of the impugned determinations pending a final decision. The holding reaffirmed the principle that premature enforcement of contested administrative decisions may occasion irreparable harm and undermine judicial review. Jurisdictional boundaries between appeal and judicial review, and the need to prevent orders from being rendered nugatory, anchored the reasoning. Emphasis was placed on preserving status quo and guarding against p