Don Sunil Wijesinghe v. Agalawatte Multipurpose Co-operative Society Ltd – CA PHC 77/01-2001

In the case between Don Sunil Wijesinghe and others (Plaintiffs/Appellants) and Agalawatte Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd and others (Defendants/Respondents), the court addressed whether the orders of the Commissioner and the arbitral award, which imposed liability on former officials for financial loss due to unauthorized transactions, could be invalidated by writ of certiorari. The court held that such orders and awards are final under section 58(5) of the Cooperative Societies Act and are not open to judicial review, provided statutory procedures are observed, including proper appointment and authority of the arbitrator and compliance with statutory requirements. The judgment reaffirmed that the absence of reasons in the arbitral and Commissioner’s decisions does not itself warran