People’s Bank v. Weerasinghe – sllr 2006 volume 2 page 225

The case between Weerasinghe (Plaintiff/Respondent) and People’s Bank (Defendant/Petitioner) addressed whether a cause of action arising from an alleged negligent banking transaction, specifically the transfer of Rs. 17.5 million, constituted a commercial transaction subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Commercial High Court under the Provincial High Court (Special Provisions) Act, No. 10 of 1996. It was held that the matter arose from a banking transaction of a commercial nature, thereby removing jurisdiction from the District Court. The decision reaffirmed the principle that jurisdiction can be raised at any stage if the absence of jurisdiction is patent, emphasizing the duty of courts to ensure matters are heard in the appropriate forum. Reliance was placed on relevant statutory