Pragathi Bank Employees Union vs People’s Bank – CA/WRIT/414/2020-2025

In the case between Ceylon Bank Employees’ Union and others (Petitioners) and Peoples Bank and the Department of Examinations (Respondents), the court addressed whether alleged discrepancies and procedural flaws in the Assistant Manager (III-3) promotion examination warranted judicial intervention, specifically through a writ of Mandamus directing the Bank to pass all candidates or apply alternative passing criteria. It was determined that the relief sought could not be granted due to lack of substantiating evidence, procedural laches, and the absence of a clear, non-discretionary statutory duty on the part of the Bank. The judgment reaffirmed the principle that judicial review, including relief by way of Mandamus, is unavailable where administrative discretion exists, unless there is clea