Pattiyage Leelawathie Gomes vs. Preethi Reeta Bastian et al. – SC HCCA/LA/404/2013-2020

In the case between Pattiyage Leelawathie Gomes (deceased) and Preethi Reeta Bastian, Wajirapani Bastian, and Luwis Vidanalage Manel Bridget Bastian, the court addressed whether an application for leave to appeal from the Civil Appellate High Court was filed within the mandatory six-week period stipulated by Rule 7 of the Supreme Court Rules of 1990. It was held that the application was filed one day after the expiry of the prescribed period, resulting in non-compliance with the mandatory time limitation. The principle reaffirmed is that strict adherence to procedural timelines under the Supreme Court Rules is required, with the relevant authorities and statutory provisions supporting a rule of mandatory compliance. As a result, the application for leave to appeal was dismissed, emphasizin