IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA In the matter of an application under Article 140 of the Constitution for an Order in the nature of a writs of Certiorari.

Ceylon Steel Corporation Limited Kaduwela Road, Oruwela, Athurugiriya.

Petitioner Case No: 92/2013 Arbitration Case No:- A 3291 (Industrial Court of Colombo)

Vs.

1. T.Piyasoma The Arbitrator, Industrial Courts, Department of Labour, Narahenpita.

2. Hon. Minister of Labour Relation and Manpower, Ministry of Labour Relations and Manpower, Labour Secretariat, Narahenpita.

3. The Commissioner General of Labour Department of Labour, Narahenpita.

4. H. Wijerathna No.245, Mullegama, Homagama.

5. E.D.Dharmasena No.273, Arawwala, Pannipitiya.

6. W. Chathurapala No.463/1, Dedimuththuduwa, Dedigamuwa.

7. A.P.G.U. Amarasinghe No.17, Wijerama Road, Gangodawila, Nugegoda.

8. L. Jayasena No.610/95, Pitipana, Homagama.

9. P. Thilakarathne Egodawatta, Unawatuna West, Unawatuna.

10. K.E. De S. Senevirathna No.66, Dikhenawatta, Polgasowita.

11. K.D.K.Wijenayaka No.16/408, Samanpura, Kottawa.

12. T.D. Jayawardena No.406/9 B, Kurundawatta, Athurugiriya.

13. K. Karolis No.146/1, Brahmanagama, Pannipitiya.

14. S. Shanmugasundaram No.230/5, Bandaranayaka Mawatha, Colombo 12.

15. A.K. Thilakarathne No.29, Piliyandala Road, Maharagama.

16. M. Weerarathne No.227/14 A, Nirmana Mawatha, Nawala Road, Nugegoda.

17. K.L.S. Chandrarathne No.7/1, 6^th Lane, Kudagama Road, Avissawella.

18. A.E.I. De Silva No.483, Aggona, Angoda.

19. S. Selvarathnam No.33, 36^th Lane, Colombo 06.

20. A.K Perera No. 253/1, Cemetery Road, Pore, Athurugiriya.

21. K.A. Samarasinghe No. 136/4, Piliyandala Road, Sikurada Pola, Pannipitiya.

22. J.M. Ranasinghe Banda No.14, Uyankele Road, Panadura.

23. D.G. Nandasiri No.1/489, Aggona, Mulleriyawa New Town, Angoda.

24. D. Yapa No.239, High Level Road, Kottawa.

25. G.P. Jayawardena No.18/A, Jaltara, Ranala.

26. P.S. Peiris No.10/10, Kumbukgahapokuna Road, Udahamulla, Nugegoda.

27. N.W. Piyatissa No.933, “Dumindu”, Kottawa, Pannipitiya.

28. P. Warusavithana No.A/147, Maddumagewatta Housing Scheme, Gangodawila, Nugegoda.

29. K. Wimalathunga No.67/1, Mullegama, Habarakada, Homagama.

30. M.D. Perera No.701, Korathota North, Kaduwela.

31. K.L.D. Ruparathna No.269, Kesbewa, Piliyandala.

32. P.S. Gomas No.2/27, Fransisku Place, Moratuwa.

33. V. Premasiri No.452.11, Kottawa Road, Athurugiriya.

34. W.A.S. Warnakulasooriya Millenium City, Oruwala, Athurugiriya.

35. W.A. Piyasena No.50/1, Pitipana North, Homagama.

36. K.M. Dayasiri No.195/5, Abeytissa Mawatha, 1^st Lane, Oruwala, Athurugiriya.

37. P.D. Wijesena No.224, Rukmale, Pannipitiya.

38. K.P. Perera No.48, Robert Gunawardana Mawatha, Thalangama South, Battaramulla.

39. A. Jayasundara No.46/15, Samanala Mawatha, Athurugiriya.

40. D.S. Amarasekara No.92, Mailangama, Athurugiriya.

41. M.P.S. Perera No.369/9, Hokandara North, Hokandara.

42. C. Ranasinghe No.25/28, De Alwis Road, Mount Lavinia.

43. M.V. Jayalath Assedduma, Nagollagoda.

44. T.D. Gunadasa No.31, Oruwala, Athurugiriya.

45. L.D.C. Perera No.1/13, Gnanawimala Mawatha, Athurugiriya.

46. Hon. Attorney General Attorney General’s Department, Colombo 12. Respondents Before : Dhammika Ganepola, J.

Counsel : Kamal Dissanayake with Sureni Amaratunga for the Petitioner.

Manohara Jayasinghe, DSG for the 2^nd, 3^rd and 46^th Respondents.

Uditha Egalahewa, PC with Amaranath Fernando for the 4^th-7^th, 10^th-14^th, 16^th-20^th, 22^nd-24^th, 26^th

29^th, 31^st-42^nd, 44^th and 45^th Respondents.

Argued On : 01.07.2024 Written Submission : Petitioner : 11.09.2024 tendered On Decided On : 02.10.2024 Dhammika Ganepola, J.

The Petitioner, Ceylon Steel Corporation had been sold to the Ceylon Heavy Industries and Constructions Company by an Agreement dated 31.10.1996 (P4) entered into between the Government of Sri Lanka and Korean Heavy Industries and Constructions Company (HANJUNG). The 4th - 45th Respondents are the ex- employees of the Petitioner who retired therefrom after completing the age of 58 years. Thereafter, the 4th-45th Re