W.A.D. Shantha Upul Kumara vs Commissioner of Cooperative Development and Others – CA PHC 115/2016-2023

In the case between W.A.D. Shantha Upul Kumara (Appellant) and the Commissioner of Cooperative Development (North Western Province) and others (Respondents), the court addressed the issue of whether the appellant’s liability for alleged shortages in goods and stock arrears was properly determined based on the evidentiary record, and whether the process satisfied requirements of natural justice and compliance with applicable law. The court held that the findings of the arbitrator and the Provincial High Court, which were based on rectified accounts presented by the respondents, should be affirmed, as the appellant did not demonstrate any error of law or breach of natural justice. The decision reaffirmed that appellate courts must give deference to factual findings unless clear error or inju