Bank of Ceylon v. Leela De Silva – sllr 2003 volume 3 page 302

In the case between Leela De Silva (and associated parties) and Bank of Ceylon, the court addressed whether the amendment to section 19 of the Bank of Ceylon Ordinance (enacted by Act No. 54 of 2000) applied retrospectively to actions initiated before its commencement, and the interpretation of the term “entertain” in this legislative context. It was held that the amendment does not have retrospective effect and only applies to actions filed after its enactment, reaffirming the principle that legislative amendments affecting substantive rights operate prospectively unless the legislature expressly provides otherwise. The determination relied on statutory interpretation principles, specifically referencing section 22 of the Interpretation Ordinance, emphasizing that the rights of litigants