M. J. A. Dias vs Air Lanka Limited – CA NO. 774/2000-2013

In the case between M. J. A. Dias, Sole Proprietor of S. J. Enterprises (Plaintiff/Appellant), and Air Lanka Limited (Defendant/Respondent), the court addressed the issue of whether the Plaintiff was entitled to recover the value of a missing package containing 2,500 wristwatches and damages from Air Lanka Limited. It was determined that a binding contractual relationship existed between the Plaintiff and the Defendant; the Defendant, as bailee, was responsible for the consignment after it was received from another carrier. The judgment set aside the District Court’s dismissal, reaffirming the principle that a carrier in possession of goods under a bill of lading or waybill holds responsibility for the safe delivery of cargo to the intended consignee, subject to established international l