C.S.K. Milia Withanarachchi vs K.N. Saliya Mathew – CA WRIT APPLICATION NO.251/2011-2012

In the case between C.S.K. Milla Withanarachchi (Plaintiff) and K.N. Saliya Mathew (Chairman, National Salaries and Cadre Commission) and others (Defendants), the primary issue addressed was whether the Petitioner, a Criminologist in the Sri Lanka Police Department, was entitled to the higher salary scale (SL-1-5) as recommended by the Police Department, or correctly placed at a lower scale (SL-1-3) as determined by the National Salaries and Cadre Commission. It was held that the placement at SL-1-3 was lawful, with the Court emphasizing that the Commission’s decision was neither illegal nor ultra vires. The principle reaffirmed was that salary structures for public servants are governed by binding administrative circulars and subsequent Cabinet decisions, not internal recommendations or p