K. L. I. Amarasekera et al. vs. Sri Lanka Ports Authority et al. – SC F/R 52/2015-2023

In the case between K. L. I. Amarasekera, Jayasumana Munasinghe, E. M. Premaratne, D. M. Anura Jayaweera, and K. U. R. Upali (Petitioners) and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and others (Respondents), the court addressed whether the deviation from Circular 16/2003 in the appointment and promotion practices of the Ports Authority constituted a violation of the petitioners’ fundamental rights to equality and occupation under Articles 12(1) and 14(1)(g) of the Constitution. It was held that the established assurances and procedural fairness required by Circular 16/2003 had not been adhered to, resulting in a breach of constitutional protection and the principle of legitimate expectation. The decision reaffirmed that statutory circulars governing appointments must be followed strictly by public