Balasooriya Arachchige Chandradasa et al. vs Hon. Reginald Cooray et al. – SC FR APPLICATION NO. 169/08-2023

In the case between Co-operative Inspectors of the Western Province (as Petitioners) and the Western Provincial Council officials, including the Secretary to the Co-operative Ministry – Western Province, and associated government respondents (as Respondents), the court addressed the legality of a salary increment that placed a specific group of Co-operative Inspectors on a higher salary scale outside the established recruitment scheme. The holding determined that this salary increment, implemented without proper reference to the prescribed Service Order Recruitment and in misapplication of governing Public Administration Circulars, violated the Petitioners’ rights under Article 12(1) of the Constitution. The operative principle reaffirmed that administrative decisions affecting public sect