Jayawardane v. Senaratne – sllr 2007 volume 1 page 249

In Jayawardane v Senaratne & Others, the petitioner, Jayawardane, City Coroner of the Gampaha District, challenged the premature termination of his extended service by Senaratne and other government authorities. The principal legal issue involved the alleged breach of natural justice, specifically the audi alteram partem principle, due to the absence of a formal charge sheet and inquiry prior to termination. It was determined that the Minister’s discretionary power under the Criminal Procedure Act governed the appointment, extension, and removal of coroners. The findings established that, although the petitioner received a show cause letter and submitted an explanation, further procedural safeguards such as a formal charge sheet and full inquiry were not obligatory under the prevailing cir