G.K.W. Keerthirathna vs D.M. Malinie – CA PHC NO. 114/2002-2013

In the case between G.K.W. Keerthirathna (Appellant) and D.M. Malinie (Respondent), the court addressed the issue of whether the Provincial High Court of Ratnapura’s decision was correct in light of binding Supreme Court precedent. It was determined that the Supreme Court’s decision in S.C. Appeal No. 21/2013 (The Superintendent of Stafford Estate vs. Solaimuthu Rasu) was decisive, necessitating the dismissal of the present appeal. The holding reaffirmed the principle that a lower court is bound by relevant Supreme Court decisions, emphasizing judicial consistency and adherence to precedent. The decision relied on the doctrine of stare decisis, with the key takeaway being that controlling Supreme Court judgments preclude contrary findings at the appellate level.

A. W. A. SALAM J. — After