Ramalingam v. Thangarajah – sllr 1982 volume 2 page 693

In Ramalingam v. Thangarajah, the court considered the legality of possession orders concerning a disputed parcel of land, specifically addressing whether extensive delays and non-compliance with mandatory time limits under the Primary Courts Procedure Act invalidate judicial proceedings. It was held that such statutory time limits, although couched in mandatory language, should be regarded as directory, with non-compliance not automatically nullifying court proceedings. This ruling reaffirmed the principle that procedural irregularities, absent proof of prejudice or jurisdictional defect, do not vitiate substantive determinations. Reliance was placed on statutory interpretation and established case law, underscoring that the focus must remain on actual possession as at the relevant filing