Goonatilake Abeywickrema vs Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka Limited – CA NO. 454/2000-2013

The case between Goonatilake Abeywickrema and Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka Limited concerned the entitlement of the Plaintiff-Appellant to recover the contract sum, retention monies, and damages following the construction of official quarters at Dankotuwa Distillery. The primary issue was whether the Plaintiff-Appellant’s failure to complete the works within the stipulated contractual timeframe was justified by alleged objections from the Excise Department, and whether the Defendant-Respondent was consequently entitled to withhold payment. It was determined that the Plaintiff-Appellant failed to provide convincing evidentiary support for his claims of external impediment during the contract period, as the available documentary evidence did not correspond with the relevant timeframe. T