IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA In the matter of an Application under Article 12(1), 126 of the Constitution of the Democratic socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

SC (FR) Application No. 498/2012 Punchi Hewage Ajithsena Silva, Kutukende Estate Nikadalupotha, Kurunegala.

Presently, No. 22/A Mahaviara Road, Lakshapathiya, Moratuwa.

Petitioner Vs.

1. Bank of Ceylon, No 4, Lanka Banku Mawatha, Colombo 01.

2. Chief legal officer, Bank of Ceylon, No 4, Lanka Banku Mawatha, Colombo 01.

3. P.A.G Weerakoon Banda Chief Manager Properties, Bank of Ceylon, No 4, Lanka Banku Mawatha, Colombo 01.

4. D.N.J Costa, Assistant General Manager Bank of Ceylon, Colombo 01.

5. S Liyanawala No. 1 No 4, Lanka Banku Mawatha, Colombo.

6. Hon. Attorney- General, Attorney General’s Office, Colombo 12. Respondents Before: Priyantha Jayawardena PC, J P. Padman Surasena, J E. A. G. R. Amarasekara, J Counsel: Pradeep Kumarasinghe for the Petitioner Ms. Yuresha de Silva SSC, for the Respondents Argued on: 28^th of January, 2019 Decided on: 29^th of February, 2024 Priyantha Jayawardena PC, J Facts of the application The petitioner filed the instant application alleging that the respondents e