Y.M.S.B. Udawela et al. v. Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs et al. – NO. 500/2010-2016

The case between Y.M.S.B. Udawela and others (petitioners, former officers of the Middle Level Unified Technical Service) and the Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs and others (respondents) addressed the issue of whether paragraphs 6 and 7 of Public Administration Circular No. 16/2008, which limited the payment of salary arrears only from 01.09.2008, should be quashed by a writ of certiorari. The court held that the non-joinder of the National Salary and Carder Commission—a necessary and proper party to salary determination—was fatal to the application. The petitioners’ request was dismissed, reaffirming the principle that all necessary parties must be before the court for effective judicial review, particularly when policy decisions are challenged. This decision