Hatton National Bank Limited vs Sella Hennadige Chandrasiri – SC APPEAL 63/2013-2013

In the case between Hatton National Bank Limited (Petitioner/Appellant) and Sella Hennadige Chandrasiri (Respondent), the court addressed the enforcement of an arbitral award under the Arbitration Act. The issues concerned whether the High Court could consider grounds outside Sections 31 and 32 to dismiss an application for enforcement and whether penal costs could be imposed against the Petitioner. The court held that, in the absence of an application to set aside the arbitral award under Section 32, the High Court is required by Section 31(6) to enforce the award and is not permitted to entertain extraneous objections, such as prescription or misrepresentation. The High Court’s judgment was set aside, as it was determined that it exceeded the limits of jurisdiction imposed by the Arbitra