Umbichy Ltd v. Hede Navigation (Pte) Ltd – sllr 2000 volume 3 page 015

In the case between UMBICHY LTD and HEDE NAVIGATION (PTE) LTD (Owners of M.V. “SHANTHA ROHAN”), the issue concerned whether the High Court of Colombo possessed admiralty jurisdiction on 31.08.1983 to adjudicate claims for cargo damage and breach of contract of carriage. The court determined that, despite statutory transitions and potential ambiguities within the Admiralty Ordinance, Administration of Justice Laws, Judicature Act, and Admiralty Jurisdiction Act, the admiralty jurisdiction was preserved. This holding reaffirmed the principle that legislative intent and continuity of judicial function can be inferred from the deliberate retention of operative admiralty procedures. Reliance was placed on statutory interpretation and past precedents, clarifying that the High Court’s jurisdictio