Anthony Saliya Godwin Ranasinghe vs Warnasirige Sinharage Paul Jayantha De Silva and others – SC CHC Appeal 17/2014-2025

The core issues were the validity of a demand made on the 2nd Defendant, the applicability of a compulsory arbitration clause to the 2nd Defendant, and the admissibility of statements of account. The Commercial High Court held the 2nd Defendant liable. The Supreme Court affirmed this decision, finding the demand valid, the arbitration clause inapplicable to the 2nd Defendant as a principal debtor, and the statements of account admissible under the Evidence Ordinance.

Janak De Silva, J. – The Commercial High Court’s decision to hold the 2nd Defendant liable for Rs. 3,047,449.94 plus interest was affirmed. It was determined that a valid demand was made on the 2nd Defendant, with the objection raised too late. The argument for compulsory arbitration was rejected as the arbitration clause w