Nagaratnam Ratnakumara vs. W.M.W.P.K. Amarasekera – SC APPEAL 136/2014-2024

In the case between W.M.W.P.K. Amarasekera, Public Health Inspector (Complainant-Respondent) and Nagaratnam Ratnakumara (Accused-Appellant), the court addressed the issue of whether the appellant correctly invoked the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction by filing an appeal without obtaining the requisite leave from the High Court or special leave directly from the Supreme Court. It was held that compliance with Section 9 of the High Court of the Provinces (Special Provisions) Act No. 19 of 1990 is mandatory, and a failure to adhere to prescribed procedural requirements precludes the Supreme Court from entertaining the appeal. This decision reaffirmed that appellate jurisdiction is conditioned upon the proper invocation of statutory procedures, and appeals filed without obtaining leave must be dis