Priyankara Witharanage Chandika Lalith Kulathunga vs. Wasantha Ekanayaka et al. – SC F.R. APPLICATION NO. 298/2013-2023

In the case between several Assistant Cultural Development Officers (notably including the 3rd Petitioner) and various government bodies such as the National Salaries and Cadre Commission, the court addressed whether the classification of the officers under the “Management Assistant – Non Technical – Segment 2” salary scale infringed the fundamental right to equality under Article 12(1) of the Constitution. The primary holding was that the impugned decision was not arbitrary, capricious, or discriminatory, and the petitions—except for one aspect—were time barred. The principle reaffirmed is that administrative actions regarding cadre categorisation and salary placement will not be interfered with unless shown to be manifestly arbitrary or discriminatory. The decision relied on Public Admin