Gunawardena v. Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and Others – sllr 2001 volume 1 page 231

In the case between Gunawardena (representing the heirs of the deceased dealer) and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation with additional corporate respondents, the court addressed the issue of alleged violation of fundamental rights under Article 12(1) of the Constitution, specifically relating to the non-appointment of the petitioner as the legitimate successor to the dealership following his father’s death. It was held that the actions of the respondents, namely canceling the dealership and appointing another candidate without due regard to the Corporation’s Marketing Manual and proper procedural fairness, constituted mala fide, arbitrary, and capricious conduct. The court reaffirmed the principle that administrative bodies must adhere to established guidelines and ensure non-discriminatory,