Ravindra Sandresh Karunanayake vs. Wimal Weerawansa – SC APPEAL 59A/2006-2020

In the case between Ravindra Sandresh Karunanayake and Wimal Weerawansa, the Supreme Court addressed whether the District Court was empowered to employ Section 839 of the Civil Procedure Code to vacate its own ex parte order in circumstances where the default was ascribed to an alleged error by the Defendant Petitioner’s legal representatives. Key legal issues included the permissibility of invoking inherent court powers to remedy procedural default, the sufficiency of evidence required to establish a bona fide mistake as opposed to negligence, and the admissibility and legal effect of affidavits presented in support of the application. It was determined that the Defendant Petitioner had not produced adequate proof of genuine mistake and that negligence could not be excused through inheren