P.A. Sunil Premarathna v. Municipal Council, Anuradhapura – CA PHC 184/2015-2022

In the case between P.A. Sunil Premarathna (Petitioner-Respondent) and the Municipal Council, Anuradhapura (Respondent-Appellant), the court addressed whether the Municipal Council filed its petition of appeal within the mandated time period under the relevant appellate procedure rules. It was held that the petition of appeal was filed out of time, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal. This determination reaffirmed the principle that statutory time limits for appellate procedure are mandatory and inclusive of Sundays and public holidays. Reference was made to Rule 11(3) and Rule 12(2) of the Court of Appeal (Procedure for appeals from High Court) Rules, 1988, and to Sections 754 and 755 of the Civil Procedure Code, underscoring that strict compliance with procedural timelines is requir