Amarsinghe vs. Dharmadasa – sllr 2013 volume 1 page 320

The case between a building contractor (Plaintiff) and the building owner (Defendant) considered whether a claim for payment for work and labour in building construction was time barred under the Prescription Ordinance. It was determined that Section 8, which applies specifically to claims for work and labour done and prescribes a limitation period of one year, governed the action rather than Section 7, which generally allows three years. The findings established that, although the action was instituted within three years, it was not brought within one year, resulting in a time-bar. The principle reaffirmed is that the specific limitation period for work and labour claims prevails over the general provision, relying on established statutory interpretation and precedent, and underscoring th