V.R.I. Gunawardena vs Dr. H.C. Ambawatte and others – SC/FR/Application No 536/2012-2025

This case involves pensioners and active staff of the Sri Lanka Technical Education Service (SLTES) challenging the reduction of their salaries and pensions and the recovery of alleged overpayments. The dispute arose from the implementation of PA Circular 06/2006 (VII) in 2008, which granted increments, leading to enhanced payments until 2012. Respondents sought recovery based on PA Circular 06/2006 (X), arguing the initial payments were an error. The Court found no legal basis for recovery, highlighting the ambiguity of the circulars and the four-year delay in correction as a violation of the Fundamental Right to equal protection of the law. The Court declared the recovery decisions null and void, allowing the applications.

Murdu N.B. Fernando, PC.CJ. – The applications concerning the