Samagitha Ratnaike and Amal Ratnaike vs R.P.A. Wimalaweera – CA WRIT 403/2018-2023

In the case between Samagitha Ratnaike and Amal Ratnaike (as petitioners) and R.P.A. Wimalaweera (Commissioner General of Labour) with other labour officials (as respondents), the court addressed the issue of whether the 6th respondent, who managed estate properties of the late Jayananda Rathnaike, qualified as an “employee” eligible for statutory contributions under the EPF Act. The dispute revolved around the classification of the 6th respondent’s role, calculation of EPF contributions, the proper salary figure, the applicable periods, and the validity of orders (P5, P7 & P9) imposing payment obligations. It was held that the 6th respondent satisfied the statutory definition of “employee,” entitling him to EPF contributions, but the orders concerning the contribution period and computed