Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka vs. Kanchana Wijesekera et al. – CA WRIT/56/2023-2023

The case between the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) and Kanchana Wijesekera (Minister of Power and Energy), the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), and other public officials addressed whether the CEB was legally bound to comply with the PUCSL’s directive to provide uninterrupted power supply during the A/L Examination period. It was determined that CEB’s resource limitations, including financial incapacity and fuel shortages, rendered strict compliance with this directive impracticable. The holding reaffirmed the principle that legal directives must be considered in light of institutional capacities, especially amidst severe economic constraints. The court declined to grant interim relief, emphasizing the need to balance public interest against operational realities.

Sobhit