JUDGEMENT

K. M. G. H. KULATUNGA, J.

1. The petitioners have preferred this application, inter alia, to quash the award dated 11.09.2020 (P-4), 11.03.2022 (P-8), and the certificate (P- 11), issued by the Commissioner of Labour under and by virtue of Section 8(1) of the Payment of Gratuity Act, No. 12 of 1983 as amended. The certificate was filed before the Magistrate of Nugegoda, dated 01.10.2022. The Commissioner of Labour, upon conducting an inquiry under the provisions of Act No. 12 of 1983, has issued a notice and certificate directing the payment of gratuity in a sum of Rs. 420,940.00 in total, in respect of three employees named and referred to in the Schedule annexed to P-11, as well as the Schedule referred to in P-4 and P-8.

2. Upon issuing P-8, the notice under Act No. 12 of 1983 on or about 11.03.2022, as the petitioners failed to make payment, the 1^st respondent Commissioner of Labour, filed the said certificate (P-11) under Section 8(1) of the said Act in the Magistrate’s Court of Nugegoda. The learned Magistrate has accordingly issued summons, and the petitioners have shown cause by way of a statement of objections tendered on 16.05.2023.

3. The present application was su