Amarasinghage Champa Damayanthi Silva vs Ceylon Petroleum Corporation et al. – CA WRIT 437/2014-2014

In the case between Amarasinghage Champa Damayanthi Silva (Petitioner) and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation with several of its officers (Respondents), the court addressed whether writs of Certiorari and Mandamus could be issued under Article 140 of the Constitution concerning the Petitioner’s promotional grievance. It was held that writ remedies are unavailable in situations where the underlying relationship is purely contractual without a public law duty, reaffirming the principle that writs may only issue for enforcement of public rights or duties. Reliance was placed upon Sri Lankan precedent and established legal principles regarding the scope of mandamus and the bar of laches. The findings emphasized that employment disputes rooted in private contract do not attract writ jurisdiction, an