R.A.Y.S. Ramani vs W.S. Jayasooriya – CALA 289/2004-2011

In the case between W.S. Jayasooriya and another (plaintiff-respondents) and R.A.Y.S. Ramani (defendant-petitioner), the court addressed whether it is mandatory for a plaintiff to obtain a certificate of non-settlement from the Mediation Board under Section 7(1) of the Mediation Boards Act No. 72 of 1988 before instituting an action in the District Court, where the value of the subject matter does not exceed Rs. 25,000. It was held that, following an order under sections 68 or 69 of the Primary Court Procedure Act relating to prohibitory orders, it is unnecessary to refer such matters again to mediation as this procedure is considered equivalent to the statutory requirement. The decision reaffirmed that, where the primary court has already intervened, jurisdiction of the District Court is