E W Information Systems Limited vs. Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Education – CA/WRIT/174/2024-2024

The case between E – W Information Systems Limited (the petitioner) and multiple state officials, including the Minister of Education and the Secretary, Ministry of Education, addressed whether the petitioner’s contracts for supplying computer equipment under the “13 Year Guaranteed Education Programme” were unlawfully terminated, and if the recommencement of the procurement process could proceed. It was determined that the dispute, although contractual, fell within the ambit of public law due to the state’s exercise of administrative power in procurement processes. The principle reaffirmed was that state actions in public contracts are subject to public law standards, including administrative fairness and reasonableness. The analysis relied on established administrative law doctrines, spe