Ekanayake Mudiyanselage Upali Herath v. Aluthge Wijedasa – CA PHC/163/2002-2002

In the case between Ekanayake Mudiyanselage Upali Herath and Aluthge Wijedasa, Divisional Secretary, Divisional Secretariat, Kantalai, the court addressed whether an appeal filed beyond the statutory 14-day limit prescribed by Rule 2 of the Court of Appeal (Procedure for Appeals from High Courts) Rules 1988 was maintainable. It was determined that strict compliance with the statutory time requirement is essential, and appeals lodged outside this period must be rejected. The ruling reaffirmed the principle that procedural rules regarding time limits are substantive in nature, serving to maintain judicial efficiency and public confidence. Reliance was placed on the mandatory character of statutory deadlines and the need to prevent abuse of process.

P. Padman Surasena J. — The procedural ba