Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka Limited vs A. S. Mohammed Hassan – CA 236/1997 F -2011

The case between A. S. Mohammed Hassan, trading as A.P. Agencies, Madras, India (Plaintiff-Respondent), and Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka Limited (Defendant-Appellant), addressed the issue of breach of contract concerning the supply of potable rectified spirits. It was determined that the Plaintiff failed to supply the agreed contract quantity and quality within the stipulated time frames, and Defendant was justified in withholding payment and treating the contract as terminated due to these breaches. The ruling reaffirmed the principle that time and quality are of the essence in commercial contracts, especially under the Sale of Goods Ordinance. The findings relied on legal authorities such as Chitty on Contracts and prior case law, emphasizing that contractual terms relating to time,