Ceylon Electricity Board Accountants’ Association v. Hon Patali Champika Ranawaka et al. – SC FR NO. 18/2015-2015

Brief
In the case between Ceylon Electricity Board Accountants’ Association (a Trade Union) and state officials including the Minister of Power and Energy, the court addressed whether a trade union, as an unincorporated body, possesses locus standi under Article 126(2) of the Constitution to institute a fundamental rights application. It was determined that such status did not extend to unincorporated trade unions acting on behalf of their members. The court held that only a person whose fundamental rights have been directly infringed could seek a remedy under Article 126(2). Reliance was placed on statutory provisions of the Trade Unions Ordinance, relevant precedent including Somawathie v. Weerasinghe and Environmental Foundation Ltd. v. Urban Development Authority, and constitutional in