P.M Indrani Gunawardana and G.G.P Jain Perera vs. Office in-charge Police Station, Wattegama – CA PHC 67/2005-2005

In the case between P.M. Indrani Gunawardana and G.G.P. Jain Perera (Appellants) and the Officer in-charge, Police Station, Wattegama, and Hon. Attorney General (Respondents), the court addressed the issue of appellate jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal following a dismissal by the High Court after convictions in the Magistrate’s Court. It was held that failure to comply with the Court of Appeal’s directions regarding payment of brief fees and the effect of a party’s death precluded continuation of the appeal, and that—in reliance on authority from Wickramasekera v. OIC, Ampara [2004] 1 SLR 257—the Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter. This decision reaffirms the principle that statutory and procedural compliance is essential for appellate jurisdiction and emphasize