Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka PLC vs Nilanda Thilakaratne – SC HC LA 90/2019-2025

In the case between Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka PLC and Nilanda Thilakaratne, the issue concerned an application for Leave to Appeal against a High Court judgment, focusing on procedural compliance, particularly the timely submission of case records and due diligence. It was held that the failure of the petitioner to comply with procedural requirements and the lack of due diligence constituted an abuse of the judicial process. The principle reaffirmed is that parties must act promptly and responsibly in prosecuting appeals, and abuses of process warrant dismissal and cost orders. Reliance was placed on established rules regarding procedural timelines and prior judicial precedents around abuse of court process, emphasizing the necessity of judicial efficiency and good faith conduct in