Sisilinona v. Balasuriya – sllr 2002 volume 1 page 404

In Sisilinona v. Balasuriya, the court addressed the permissible scope of judicial intervention in the examination of witnesses, focusing on the application of Section 164 of the Civil Procedure Code and Section 165 of the Evidence Ordinance. It was concluded that a judge’s authority to question witnesses must be exercised to clarify facts, not to discredit or coerce testimony, thereby ensuring judicial impartiality and fairness. Relying on established precedents and statutory interpretation, this decision established that inappropriate judicial questioning, which appears to pressure or undermine a witness, exceeds permissible power. The District Court’s refusal to vacate an ex parte order was set aside, and the case was remanded, reinforcing proper judicial conduct and the fair administra