Peoples Bank vs Denagama Vidanalage Yaparatne – CA NO. 14-15-16/2000-2012

In the case of Peoples Bank v. Denagama Vidanalage Yaparatne and others, the court addressed the validity of the District Judge’s order that permitted the defendants conditional leave to appear and defend a debt recovery action under the Debt Recovery (Special Provisions) Act No. 2 of 1990. It was held that, as the defendants admitted the debt but claimed—without documentary evidence—to have settled it, the District Judge acted within the scope of the Act by imposing conditions. The court reaffirmed the principle that the right of appeal must be expressly provided by statute and is not implied. Reliance was placed on the authorities of Martin v. Wijewardena and Bandara v. Peoples Bank. The decision emphasized the limited appellate jurisdiction conferred by the relevant Act and clarified th