M. A. Razak &Co. Ltd. v. Lanka Walltiles Ltd. – sllr 2000 volume 1 page 001

In the case between M. A. Razak & Co. Ltd (Plaintiff) and Lanka Walltiles Ltd (Defendant), the court addressed the issue of whether, during the period between 2.7.1979 and 31.10.1983, the District Court possessed concurrent jurisdiction over admiralty matters or whether the High Court held exclusive admiralty jurisdiction. The court held that the District Court had concurrent jurisdiction to entertain and determine such maritime claims, reaffirming the principle that the absence of expressly conferred exclusive jurisdiction on the High Court under the Judicature Act permitted such jurisdiction to reside with both courts. This decision relied on the construction of the Judicature Act (2 of 1978), related statutory frameworks, and historic admiralty rules, emphasizing that claims arising fro