Beverly Palihawadana Vs. W.I.D.R. Weerakon and others – CA WRIT APPLICATION NO. 370/2017-2017

In the case between Beverly Palihawadana and W.I.D.R. Weerakon (Assistant Commissioner of Labor) and R.P.A. Wimalaweera (Commissioner of Labor), the court addressed the question of whether the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations possessed diplomatic or judicial immunity preventing the enforcement of Labour Tribunal compensation awards concerning employment contracts with Sri Lankan citizens. It was determined that the Refusal by labor authorities to enforce the award, on the basis of the FAO’s claimed immunity, required judicial review, especially in view of a Note Verbal from the Ministry of External Affairs clarifying that such immunity does not extend to employment disputes involving Sri Lankan nationals. The decision underscored that the scope and application