Lanka Electricity Company (Private) Limited (LECO) vs. B.K. Prabhath Chandrakeerthi – CA/WRIT/120/2024-2024

In the case between Lanka Electricity Company (Private) Limited (LECO) and the Commissioner General of Labour and others, the court addressed the issue of whether a writ application challenging an arbitrator’s award—ordering the placement of the 6th Respondent employee on a higher salary scale with arrears—was procedurally maintainable given the petitioner’s non-compliance with statutory requirements. It was held that failure to adhere to Section 31DDDDD of the Industrial Disputes Act, specifically regarding deposit of security and submission of the Commissioner-General’s certificate, was a fatal defect. The decision reaffirmed the principle that statutory prerequisites for appellate or review jurisdiction are mandatory and non-compliance bars judicial relief. Reliance was placed on the st