Batuwanthudawa Kankanamge vs Muthuwahandi Lambert – SC APPEAL 167/2018-2025

In the case between Muthuwahandi Lambert, Hetti Arachchige Amarawathie, Mithuwahandi Lalantha Madushan, Padma Hettiarachchi (Plaintiffs-Respondents) and Haththotuwa Gamage Rukman Mahendra, Prasad Malaka Batuwanthudawa, Batuwanthudawa Kankanamge Somadewa (Defendants; with the 3rd Defendant-Appellant as the petitioner in appeal), the court addressed whether the damages awarded for the death of a bus passenger caused by a bomb explosion were excessive and whether proper evidentiary standards and calculations of pecuniary loss had been observed. The court determined that while negligence and breach of duty of care by the defendants was established, the compensation awarded by the lower courts required revision to reflect accurate financial evidence and proper assessment of pecuniary loss. The