Siril Jayawardena Karunaratne vs Nisha Kanthi Peiris – SC Appeal 123/2019-2025

In the matter of Siril Jayawardena Karunaratne vs Nisha Kanthi Peiris, the court addressed the issue of malicious prosecution. The Plaintiff (Nisha Kanthi Peiris) initiated an action for malicious prosecution against the Defendant (Siril Jayawardena Karunaratne) following the overturning of a prior criminal conviction against her, which had been based on the Defendant’s complaint regarding garbage dumping. The District Court dismissed the Plaintiff’s action, finding it time-barred and lacking proof of malice. The Civil Appellate High Court subsequently reversed this decision, determining that malice was present and awarding damages to the Plaintiff. The Supreme Court, in this appeal, set aside the Civil Appellate High Court’s judgment and affirmed the District Court’s dismissal of the mali