Allianz Insurance Lanka Limited vs. K.A.N.W. Chathurangani and M.M. Sanjaya – COC 01/2021-2022

In Allianz Insurance Lanka Limited v. K.A.N.W. Chathurangani and M.M. Sanjaya, the court addressed the scope of appellate jurisdiction with respect to contempt applications stemming from alleged breaches of interim and enjoining orders issued by the District Court of Galle and the Civil Appellate High Court. The court determined that the Court of Appeal possesses constitutional jurisdiction to adjudicate allegations of contempt concerning orders of lower courts, provided there was service and knowledge of the relevant orders. It was found that sufficient grounds existed for issuance of summons for alleged contempt only against the 2nd Respondent, while proceedings against the 1st Respondent could not be maintained. The necessity of a formal charge sheet at the initial filing was clarified