Mackwoods Tea (Private) Limited v. Agalawatte Plantation PLC – CA RI APPLICATION NO.10/2017-2017

In the case between Mackwoods Tea (Private) Limited and Agalawatte Plantation PLC, the court addressed whether the Court of Appeal holds jurisdiction under Article 138 of the Constitution to grant restitutio in integrum where the disputed acts—eviction and lease termination—were not outcomes of judicial or tribunal proceedings, but were attributed to acts of the respondent. It was determined that the application for restitutio in integrum to restore possession of the Labookellie Tea Center could not be entertained, as such relief is confined to instances involving orders, decisions, or steps of courts or tribunals. The principle that appellate and supervisory jurisdiction under Article 138 does not extend to private actions of individuals was reaffirmed. The findings relied upon the defini