P.L.D.A.S. Panagoda vs J.M.C. Jayanthi Wijethunga et al. – CA WRIT APPLICATION NO- 316/2014-2014

In P.L.D.A.S. Panagoda v. J.M.C. Jayanthi Wijethunga and others, the court addressed the legality of the interdiction of the petitioner, a District Irrigation Engineer, by the Secretary of a provincial ministry. The central issue concerned the lawfulness of the suspension for non-compliance with directives relating to the Kesbewa Wewa Walkway project and the alleged suppression of material facts in seeking interim relief. It was held that the petitioner failed to make full and fair disclosure of material facts, especially regarding the chronology and substance of objections to the directive, thereby warranting the vacation of the interim stay order but allowing half-salary pending full determination. The decision reaffirmed that parties seeking extraordinary interim relief under Article 14