Arampath Geeganage Somarathne Buthgamuwa et al. vs. Hettimudiyanselage Somarathna Kehel Kotuwa – SC APPEAL NO. 82/2013-2013

In the case between Hettimudiyanselage Somarathna (Plaintiff-Appellant-Respondent) and Arampath Geeganage Somarathne, Jayasooriya Arachchillage Siriyalatha, Rathnayake Adikaram Thenennehelaga (Sunil Rathnayake), and Ranamuka Arachchillage Asoka (Defendant-Respondents-Petitioners), the Supreme Court addressed whether the evidence—specifically the testimony and affidavit of Attorney-at-Law Sujatha Udalagama concerning the next trial date—established reasonable grounds for the Plaintiff’s absence at trial. The court held that such evidence did constitute reasonable grounds, determining that the District Judge erred in dismissing the Plaintiff’s application under Section 87(3) of the Civil Procedure Code to set aside the earlier dismissal, and that the Civil Appellate High Court’s reversal of