M. Jagath Keerthi Bandara v. Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Ltd – SC APPEAL NO.19/2021-2023

In the case between M. Jagath Keerthi Bandara (Public Health Inspector/Authorized Officer, complainant-respondent) and parties including Nilanthi Distributors, Coca-Cola Beverages Company, and Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Ltd (2nd Accused/Appellant-Petitioner), the core legal issue centered on whether the Mahawa Magistrate’s Court was vested with territorial jurisdiction to adjudicate an offence relating to the manufacture and distribution of a bottle of Coca‑Cola containing impurities under the Food Act and the Criminal Procedure Code. The court held that the challenge to jurisdiction, characterized as a latent defect, is subject to waiver if not raised at the earliest opportunity. The holding reaffirmed the principle that jurisdictional objections of this nature can be forfeited by cond