Orient Finance PLC vs Mantrige Hector Lorence Dias and others – SC CHC Appeal 15/2007-2025

The core legal issue involved the Appellant’s failure to pay the purchase price for a van, despite issuing a purchase order. The Appellant raised defenses concerning an incomplete valuation report and the timing of repudiation, which were found to be untimely as they occurred after the van’s delivery and registration. A further contention by the Appellant that the Respondent acted as an agent for an undisclosed principal was dismissed, with the court affirming the principle under English law that an agent can sue on behalf of an undisclosed principal. The Appellant did not present evidence in rebuttal. The court affirmed the High Court’s judgment, dismissing the appeal.

Janak De Silva, J. delivered the judgment, outlining the factual matrix of the case involving a leasing transaction fo