Kotuwegedara Siripala Ranawaka v. Cooperative Commissioner, Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd, Polonnaruwa Daya Gamage – CA- PHC – 184/2012-2015

In the case between Kotuwegedara Siripala Ranawaka (Appellant) and the Cooperative Commissioner, Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd, Polonnaruwa Daya Gamage (Respondents), the court addressed whether the orders of the High Court and Magistrate affirming an arbitral award for recovery of Rs. 524,717 from the Appellant should be set aside, and whether issues such as a prior criminal acquittal or failure to appeal the award permitted the Appellant to resist enforcement. It was held that the Appellant’s failure to appeal the arbitral award under Section 58(3) of the Co-operative Societies Act rendered the award final and conclusive, barring further challenge during enforcement proceedings. The principle reaffirmed is that legal remedies provided within statute must be exhausted in the prescr