W.A. Nelum Kumari v. W.A. Dhammika Kumara – CA PHC 94/2014-2016

In the case between W.A. Nelum Kumari (Applicant-Respondent-Respondent) and W.A. Dhammika Kumara (Anura Florists) (Defendant-Petitioner-Appellant), the court addressed the issue of whether the Defendant-Petitioner-Appellant could appeal and seek revision against orders for maintenance payments, including those related to a child whose paternity was initially denied but later confirmed by DNA evidence. It was held that, pursuant to Section 14 of the Maintenance Act No. 37 of 1999 and Section 9 of the High Court (Special Provisions) Act No. 19 of 1990, the appropriate forum for appeals and revisions from Provincial High Court decisions in such matters is the Supreme Court and not the Court of Appeal. The principle reaffirmed is that statutory jurisdictions regarding appeals must be strictly