Chairman, Pradeshiya Sabha, Dimbulagala vs. Chief Minister, North Central Province and Others – sllr 2020 volume 2 page 164

In the case between the Chairman of the Dimbulagala Pradeshiya Sabha (petitioner) and the Chief Minister of the North Central Province and others (respondents), the court addressed the lawfulness of removing the petitioner from office following an inquiry under the Pradeshiya Sabha Act. It was determined that the removal, implemented through Order P16, was invalid because the inquiry failed to adhere to principles of natural justice—specifically, the petitioner was not properly informed of the charges, denied an effective hearing, and not allowed to cross-examine witnesses. The judgment reaffirmed the requirement that administrative decisions affecting elected officials must be consistent with principles of fairness and due process. Reliance was placed on statutory interpretation of sectio