N. D. Yasaratna vs Lanka Salt Limited – CA NO. 897/2000 F-2013

In the case between N. D. Yasaratna (Plaintiff/Appellant) and Lanka Salt Limited (Defendant/Respondent), the main issue considered was whether the District Court of Colombo had jurisdiction to grant a decree for specific performance compelling the defendant to permit the plaintiff’s retirement under a pension scheme circular. It was held that such relief must be sought under the writ jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal, not through the ordinary jurisdiction of the District Court. This determination reaffirmed the principle that claims to enforce public law duties of statutory bodies generally fall within writ proceedings rather than civil suits. The case highlighted the distinction between the enforcement of contractual rights and public law remedies, with significant reliance on establish