Lalani vs. Eastern University of Sri Lanka and Others – sllr 2019 volume 2 page 286

The case between Lalani (the petitioner) and Eastern University of Sri Lanka and others addressed the legal justification for the dismissal of a probationary Senior Assistant Bursar without a disciplinary inquiry. It was held that, during probation, termination is permissible unless the employee establishes a prima facie case of mala fides or unjustifiable circumstances, reaffirming the principle that technical procedural irregularities alone do not suffice to reinstate probationers absent evidence of bias or arbitrariness. Reliance was placed on established judicial precedents concerning probationary employment and the discretionary authority of employers, with particular emphasis on the burden of proof resting upon the probationer. The Court quashed only the monetary penalty related to l