Gamini Rajapakse v. S.A.C.S.W. Jayathilake et al. – CA WRIT APPLICATION NO. 1483/2006-2006

In the case between Gamini Rajapakse (petitioner) and S.A.C.S.W. Jayathilake, Director General of Customs, Tharaka Seneviratne, Deputy Director of Customs, P.W. Amaradiwakara, multiple Customs officials, various apparel companies, and the Hon. Attorney General (respondents), the court addressed whether an application for relisting—following dismissal due to non-appearance and lack of representation—should be allowed. It was held that the petitioner’s excuse of mistakenly recording the date did not constitute sufficient cause for reinstatement, reaffirming the principle that only excusable mistakes, and not inexcusable negligence, merit such indulgence. This decision utilized precedents such as Jinadasa and Others v. Sam Silva and Others [1994] and Packiyanathan v. Singarajah [1991], emphas