Indrani Swarnalatha Marie Peiris and others vs Central Finance Company Limited – SC Appeal 136/2010-2025

In the matter of Indrani Swarnalatha Marie Peiris and others vs Central Finance Company Limited, the court addressed whether an order dismissing an action based on res judicata is a final or interlocutory order for appeal purposes. The court held that such an order is interlocutory, requiring leave to appeal, affirming the ‘application approach’ over the ‘order approach’. This decision clarifies that dismissals not resolving rights on the merits are interlocutory, reinforcing the procedural requirements for appeals.

A.L. Shiran Gooneratne J. – Delivered the judgment, outlining the procedural history including the dismissal of a second action based on res judicata. The nature of this dismissal order, whether final or interlocutory, was examined against judicial precedents. It was determi