Ceylon Bank Employees’ Union et al. vs Bank of Ceylon et al. – CA WRIT/106/2022-2023

In the case between Ceylon Bank Employees’ Union, Mr. G. K. A. N. Peter, and Mr. D. K. Siriwardhane (the Petitioners) and Bank of Ceylon and its Board of Directors including the former General Manager (the Respondents), the Court addressed the legality of the Bank’s Board decision to grant premature retirement benefits of Rs.32,039,733.00 to the former General Manager. It was held that, owing to contested statutory and contractual issues and the involvement of public law interests, the application should proceed to a full hearing with comprehensive affidavit evidence. The principle reaffirmed is that when important statutory limitations and allegations of acting ultra vires are raised in matters of employment in public institutions, judicial review and further inquiry are warranted. This d