V Y Sabaratnam vs Ms. Ruwani Dharmawardena and others – CA COC/0009/2019-2021

In the case between V. Y. Sabaratnam and Ms. Ruwani Dharmawardena, Attorney-at-Law and Information Officer, and Mr. K A Vimalenthirarajah, Designated Officer, both of Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Ltd, the court addressed whether contempt of court proceedings should be initiated against the defendants for alleged non-compliance with a prior Court of Appeal order under Article 105(3) of the Constitution. It was held that technical objections raised by the defendants were insufficient to defeat the proceedings and that a prima facie case for contempt had been established. The court reaffirmed the principle that procedural technicalities must not impede the enforcement of judicial orders, especially when lay parties seek justice. This decision relied on the constitutional power to punish fo