Coomaraswamy v. Shanmugaratna Iyar and Another – 1978_79_80 volume 1 page 323

In the case between the plaintiffs-respondents and the defendant-petitioner concerning residential premises in Kotahena, the court addressed whether a party’s constitutional right under Article 24(2) of the Constitution to file pleadings in Tamil in the District Court of Colombo could be limited by judicial or ministerial direction. The court determined that such a right is guaranteed and that the Minister’s directive cannot restrict or negate this entitlement. The principle established reiterates that parties may utilize either of the National languages for court pleadings, with the State bearing the responsibility for providing translations for record purposes. This decision turned on the interpretation of Articles 18, 19, 24, and 25 of the Constitution and rejected the Addl. District Ju