Union Bank of Colombo Ltd. v Wijayawardane and Another – sllr 2008 volume 2 page 306

The case between Union Bank of Colombo Ltd. and Wijayawardane and another addressed the enforceability of Supreme Court directions by lower courts under the Debt Recovery (Special Provisions) Act. It was held that an inferior court, including the District Court, is strictly bound to implement directions issued by the Supreme Court and lacks authority to disregard or review such orders. This position reinforces the principle that validity and interpretation of orders from the apex court fall solely within that court’s jurisdiction. The decision rested on established jurisprudence (including Jeyaraj Fernandopulle v Premachandra de Silva and Others; Hadkinson v Hadkinson) and clarified that any challenge to a Supreme Court directive must be addressed by the Supreme Court itself. The outcome a