Ceylon Steel Corporation Limited vs T.Piyasoma – CASE NO: 92/2013-2024

In the case between Ceylon Steel Corporation Limited (later Ceylon Heavy Industries and Constructions Company) and a group of ex-employees (including Wijetunga, Goonetilleke, and others), the court addressed whether an arbitrator exceeded jurisdiction by adjudicating a dispute concerning employment terms after cessation of employment and by pronouncing on the legal validity of a Collective Agreement. It was determined that such an award exceeded the arbitrator’s statutory powers under the Industrial Disputes Act, reaffirming the principle that only courts may determine questions of contract legality or issues arising after the employer–employee relationship has ceased. Precedents and statutory limitations were applied, emphasizing that arbitral authority is confined to matters strictly ari