Senok Trade Combines (Pvt) Ltd. vs. Mirama Beach Hotel Limited – SC APPEAL 96/2013-2022

In the case between the appellant, who purchased property from Vidanelage Krishantha Ruwan De Mel, and Mirama Beach Hotel Limited, the court addressed whether a subsequent purchaser by ordinary deed is entitled to invoke section 29P of the People’s Bank Act (as amended) to secure an order for possession. The court held that such statutory benefits under section 29P are limited to purchasers under the special auction scheme set out in the Act, excluding subsequent transferees from its operation. This decision reaffirmed the principle that statutory summary possession is to be strictly construed in favor of those expressly included in the legislative framework. The decision relied on detailed analysis of the People’s Bank (Amendment) Act No 32 of 1986 and relevant case law, highlighting that