Gunaratne and Others v. Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and Others – sllr 1996 volume 1 page 315

In the case between Gunaratne and Others (Plaintiff) and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and Others (Defendant), the court addressed whether the summary termination of a Dealership Agreement and cancellation of statutory authority, effected without notice or clear justification, constituted a violation of the Petitioners’ fundamental rights under Article 12(1) of the Constitution. It was held that the actions of the Corporation amounted to executive or administrative action subject to constitutional review. The findings established that reliance on historic incidents not applicable to the current contractual arrangement led to arbitrary, capricious, and discriminatory termination, violating the guarantee of equality before the law. Relief included a declaration of rights infringement, compens