Colombo Business School Limited vs Sri Lanka Tea Board – SC HC/LA NO. 69/2018-2021

In the case between Colombo Business School Limited and Sri Lanka Tea Board, the Supreme Court addressed whether the petitioner’s application for leave to appeal should be dismissed due to non-compliance with Rule 28(3) of the Supreme Court Rules, particularly addressing the time-bar and procedural aspects in the context of an arbitration dispute. It was held that failure to comply strictly with mandatory procedural rules—specifically, failing to tender the required notice of appeal and associated documents at the stipulated time—constitutes a fatal defect, even if such deficiencies are subsequently remedied. The court relied on precedent confirming the imperative nature of compliance with Supreme Court Rules, establishing that jurisdiction cannot be properly invoked without adherence to p