Employees’ Trust Fund Board vs Minister of Labour and Labour Relations – WRIT 354/2018-2021

In the case between Employees’ Trust Fund Board (Petitioner) and B.G. Priyani, Minister of Labour and Labour Relations, and others (Respondents), the court addressed whether the Arbitrator exceeded the jurisdiction provided by the reference from the Minister of Labour and whether awards made and interpreted beyond the one-month statutory period under Section 15 of the Industrial Disputes (Hearing and Determination of Proceedings) (Special Provisions) Act, No. 13 of 2003, were valid. It was held that the Arbitrator’s actions, including granting backdated promotions and financial compensation outside the scope of the reference, were ultra vires. The principle affirmed is that an arbitrator’s authority is confined to the issues expressly referred and cannot be expanded at will, and procedural