5. Insertion of new Chapter XA in the principal enactment

Official English translation. Where it differs from the Sinhala or Tamil text, the Act itself says which text prevails.

The following new chapter is hereby inserted immediately after Chapter X of the principal enactment and shall have effect as Chapter XA of that enactment:-

“CHAPTER XA

OF FIXING DAY OF PRE-TRIAL

79A. (1) The court shall –

(a)

forthwith on the expiration of the time allowed for the filing of the answer; or

(b)

where a replication is permitted, on the last day of the time allowed for the filing of that replication, and whether the same is filed or not, appoint a date not earlier than three weeks and not exceeding two months from such date for pre-trial hearing to be commenced, either in the presence of all parties to the action or such parties as are present.

(2)

The court shall, prior to appointing a date, satisfy itself that the absent parties have been duly notified of the proceedings.”.

Read on from s 6