© Thishantha Wijayakoon 97/L/3485, &
Indika Sampath Cooray 97/L/ 3319.
Faculty of Law, University of Colombo.
1
http://wikoon.itgo.com
Law of Delict
YS% rdï kvqj
rhs,kaâ rS;shg úl,amhla
kS;sh hkq ljrlao @ fkdfyd;a kS;sh hkq ljrla úh hq;=o @ hk .eg¨jg
id¾:lj kS;s úoHd;aul ú.%yh imhd we;sf;a iudc úoHd;aul .=rel=,jdoSkahehs uu is;ï' osfkka osk w;s
ixlS¾Kjhg m;ajkakdjq udkj iudcfha ms<s.efgk whs;sjdislï ;=,kh lsrSfuys,d iudc bxcsfkareuh l¾;jHhla
bgqlrk úOl%uhla f,i kS;sh wre;a.ekajqfha Tjqkah' oS,sla; kS;sh u.ska kS;sfha fuu iq,laIKh uekúka yqjdolajhs'
ukaoh;a tla w;lska mqoa., ksoyi ;yjqre lsrSu;a wks;a w;ska ta iu.u fmdÿ ksoyi fyj;a iduqysl wdrlaIdj
mj;ajd .ekSu;a hk m%;súfrdaOs ldrKd ;=,kh lsrSfï uq,sl .eg¨j bka úiod,k neúks' oS,sla; kS;sh yd f;dar;
kS;sh ;=< úiÿKq kvq ;=kla weiqfrka ta nj ikd: lsrSug fuysoS wfmalId flf¾' Kruger v. Coetzee1 ,
Cambridge water company v. Eastern Contries Leather plc. 2 , Shriram Gas Leak Case
(M.C. Metha v. Union of India )3 tu kvq ;SrKhkah' iudc ;=kl " fjkia ld,jljdkqj," úúO
md¾Yjhkaf.a whs;sjdislï ;=,kh iïnkaOfhka oS,sla; kS;sfha yd f;dar; kS;sfha l%udkql=,j j¾Okh ;=< we;s jq
fjkia me;slv ;=kla fmkajd oSfuys,d fuu kvq ;s%;ajh úfYaIfhka f;dard.kakd ,oafoah' flfia kuq;a fuu ;SrKhkag
mdol jq isoaOsuh lrKq ;=< we;s udkj iudchSh wjYH;d jhkaf.a ixlS¾Kjh;a " tkhska kS;sh g n,l, kS;sfha b;d
nr iys; ld¾hNdrh;a tlf,iskau úoHdudk jkafkah'
wm úiska uq,skau oS,sla; kS;sfha úIh mrdih fláfhka wjfndaO lr.; hq;=fõ'
n¾fI,ag wkqj mqoa.,fhl=f.a YrSrhg" foam,g fyda prs;hg ydks lrk wdldrfha kS;súfrdaOS fodaI iy.; ls%hdjla fyda
fkdlryerSula u; isú,a m%;sl¾uhla u.ska jkaos ,nd.; yels j.lSula Woa.; lsrSu oS,sla; kS;sfha ld¾hh jkafkah'
f;dar; kS;sh jq l,S fuu frdau ,kafoaishdka oS,sla; kS;shg iudka;rjq bx.S%is fmdÿ kS;sfha wkqjdokhhs' fuu kS;s l%u
fol w;r we;s jHqyd;aul fjkia lï ñi wka;¾.;fhka iudk fõ'
oS,sla; kS;sfha Wla; isú,a m%;sl¾uh jkafka wlaù,shdkq kvqlrhhs' ta hgf;a jkaos
,nd.ekSug kï kS;SúfrdaOsNdjh (wrongful conduct) , fÉ;kdj fyda fkdie,ls,a, u; Woa.; jq jroldrS;ajh
(fault- Culpa / Dolus) , ldrK;ajh (Causation ) , iy uq,h ydksh (Patrimonial loss) hk wjYH;d
uq,slj iïmq¾K l<hq;=fõ' fï w;rska fkdie,ls,a, kï wjYH;d j b;d jeo.;a jk w;r bx.S%is kS;sfha fuys,d
fjku f;dar;hla ;sfí' tkï fkdie,ls,su;aùu jrola jk w;r tfia ls%hdlrkakd tu.ska iudchg jk ydksj,g
jkaos f.úh hq;=h hk lreK Wla; fokS;shgu mokï ù mj;S'
Kruger v. Coetzee
1966 oS ol=Kq wm%sldfõoS úiÿKq l=.¾ kvqfjoS fuu fkdie,ls,a, hkq ljrlaoehs
id¾;lj w¾: olajk ,oafoah' tys isoaoSuh lrekq fufiah' meñKs,sldrshf.a ieñhd we.fha r:fhka wOfõ.S ud¾.hl
.uka lrñka isá w;r ud¾.fha isá wYajhka fofofkl= ksid r:h wk;=rg Ndckh ù ydks isÿúh' fuu wYajhkaf.a
whs;slre jqfha wi,l ;snq i;aj lojqrl ysñlreh' meñKs,sldrsh Tyqg úreoaOj kvq mjrñka lshd isáfha ú;a;slre
úiska i;aj lojqr;a uyd ud¾.hla w;r msysá f.aÜgqj jidoeóug ie,ls,su;a fkdùu;a tu.ska ;u i;=ka u.ska wkqkag
ydksùu ms<sno Tyq fkdie,ls,a,su;a jq nj;ah'
ú;a;slre oS¾> ld,hla ;sisfia fuu ud¾.h wi, ;u i;aj lojqr mj;ajdf.k
.sh w;r wêfõ.S udj; iSudj wdrlaIs; jeglska wdj¾Kh lr ;sìKs' tfy;a miqjoS wod, m%dfoaYSh ljqkai,h úiska ta
m%foaYfha úYd, .x.d c, Wux jHdmD;shla boslsrSug lghq;= l< ksid tu jHdmD;shg hk fiajlhkaf.a myiqj ;ld
1
(1966) 2 SA 428
(1994) 1 All ER 53
3 AIR 1987 S.C. 1086
2
© Thishantha Wijayakoon 97/L/3485, &
Indika Sampath Cooray 97/L/ 3319.
Faculty of Law, University of Colombo.
2
http://wikoon.itgo.com
ú;a;slref.a lojqr yryd w;=re mdrla ksujk ,os' w;=remdr " m%Odk udra.hg iïnkaO lsrSu ioyd wdrlaIs; jeg
isÿre lr f.aÜgqjla ouk ,os' jHdmD;shg hktk fiajlhka úiska ks;r tu f.aÜgqj yeroud hdu ksid ú;a;slref.a
i;=ka ta yryd ud¾.hg msúiSu fuu wk;=rg fya;= úh'
wêlrKh úiska fuysoS ú;a;slref.a fkdie,ls,a,la ;sfíoehs hkak mrSlaId lsrSu
ioyd lsishï rS;shla yÿkajdfokq ,eìKs' tkï m<jkqj " hï hqla;siy.; mqoa.,fhl=g " ;u ls%hdj ksid ;j;a
mqoa.,fhl=g" Tyqf.a foam,g fyda Y=oaO uq,Huh jYfhka ydkshla úhyels njg mq¾fõlaIKh l< yelso@ fojkqj " tjeks
wk;=rla je<elaùu ioyd wjYH hqla;s iy.; mshjr .ekSug " hqla;siy.; wfhl= f,i Tyqg yelso@ f;jkqj"
we;a;jYfhkau ú;a;slre úiska tu hqla;siy.; mshjr.ekSu fkdlr isáhdo @ hk m%YaK ;=k úuid ne,sh hq;= w;r
tu m%YaK ;=kgu ,efnk ms<s;=r Tõ kï ú;a;slref.a fkdie,ls,a, la we;ehs Tmamq jk njhs'
wod, m%YaKfhaoS f.aÜgqj újD;j mej;Sfuka isÿúh yels wk;=r ms<sno ú;a;sldr
lojqre ysñhd oek isá w;r jHdmD;s ks<OdrSka úiska w,i lu ksid f.aÜgqj fkdjid .sh wjia:djla ÿgq yeu úgu Tyq
th jidoeïfïh' ;jo fï ms<snoj Tyq fojrla m%dfoaYSh ljqkais,hg;a " tlajrla c, jHdmD;sfha n,OdrSkag;a
meñKs,slr ;sìKs' ta wkqj hqla;siy.; mqoa.,fhl= f,i .; yels hqla;siy.; mshjr ish,a, ú;a;slre bgqlr ;snqKq
nj;a wkqka yeroud hk f.aÜgqj jeiSu ioyd osjdrd;S% jYfhka uqrlrefjl= fhoùu jeks mshjrla ú;a;slref.ka
wfmalaId l< fkdyels nj;a wêlrKfha u;h úh' ta wkqj ú;a;slre j.lSfuka ksoyia úh'
hful= fÉ;kdkaú;j ;j;a wfhl=g ydkshla lrk úg tys,d ovqjulaoSu fyda
jkaoshla whlr.ekSu fyda kS;sfha idïm%odhsl lghq;a; úh' bka hï mqoa.,fhl=f.ka wfmalaId lf<a hñlsis ksIalS%h
ls%hdldrs;jhls' tfy;a fkdie,ls,a, ksid ydkshla isÿjq úg Tyqg j.lSu mejrSu jq l,S kS;sfha kj j¾Okhls' ukaoh;a
tu.ska mqoa.,fhl=g " iudcfha cSj;a jkafkl= jYfhka wkqka .ek o ie,ls,su;aùfï ils%h fÉ;kdjlska hq;=j ksnoju
cSj;aùug n,flfrk neúKs' tfy;a ;u cSú;fha oyil=;a tlla jevlghq;=j, wúfõlSj cSj;a jk iudc.;
mqoa.,fhl= úiska ;j;a wfhl= .ek ie,ls,a,la oelaúh hq;af;a ljr m%udKhlskao @ hkak ;SrKh lsrSu myiq fkdfõ'
fuf,dj cSj;a jkafka tla mqoa.,fhl= kï Tyqg ;ud leu;s mrsos ls%hdl< yels w;r wiSñ; ksoyila N=l a;s úosh yelsh'
tfy;a fuu f,dalhg ;j;a wfhl= meñKsúg Tyqg;a tys cSj;aùu ioyd iudk ksoyila iy whs;sjdislï ysñjk neúka
fuf;la l,a uq,a mqoa.,hd úiska N=la;súosk ,o wiSñ; ksoyi iSud lsrSug isÿfõ' flfia kuq;a fï fofokd w;r mej;sh
hq;= whs;sjdislï " iSudjka yd hq;=lï ljf¾oehs myiqfjka ksIaph l< yelsh' tfy;a fï f,dalh fofofkl=f.ka fkdj
fldaá ixLHd; ck;djlf.ka msrS mj;sk w;r Tjqkaf.a wixLHd; " tlsfklg iïnkaO " tlsfkl m%;súreoaO " ixlS¾K
wjYH;d yuqfõ Tjqkaf.a whs;sjdislï yd tajdg iSud " hq;=lï iy j.lSï ksIaph lsrSu w;sYhsku ne/reï lghq;a;ls'
fuu uyd .eg¨jg uqyqK oS ms<s.efgk whs;sjdislï ;=,kh lrñka " iunr " iduldó" idOdrK yd iqrlaIs; iudchla
kv;a;= l< hq;= jkafka kS;shhs' Rosco Pound úiska kS;sfha fuu ld¾hh yev.eiaùu ms<sno ls%hdj,sh ( Prosess
of Adjustment ) f,i yÿkajhs'
fuu isoaOsh ;=< oelakg ,efnk md¾Yjhka rdYshls' meñKs,sldrsh" wef.a ieñhd"
i;aj lojqre ysñlre" m%dfoaYSh ljqkais,h" tu ljqkais,h m;a l< ck;dj" .x.d c, Wux jHdmD;sfha n,OdrSka" tu
jHdmD;sfha fiajlhska yd tu c, jHdmD;sfhka m%fhdackh ,nk ck;dj wdoS jYfhks' fï iEu md¾Yjhlgu wjYH;d
;sfnk w;r tu wjYH;d iuyrúg tlsfklg mgyeks fjhs' Rosco Pound wjOdrKh lrkafka fuu mgyeks
wjYH;d yÿkdf.k tajdfha we;s iudcuh jeo.;alu wkqj j¾. l< hq;= njhs' fufia j¾.SlrKh lsrSu ioyd ksIaÑ;
ñkqï oKavla fidhd.; fkdyels hehs olajk Tyq mjikafka wjia:dkql=, idOl j,g wkqj tu wjYH;djhka yels;dla
Wmrsu uÜgñka idlaId;a lr.ekSug yels jk fia kS;sh Ndú;d l< hq;= njhs' md¾Yjhkag ,efnk whs;sjdislï yd
hq;=lï ;SrKh l< hq;= jkafka tu lreKq wkqjhs' tfy;a iEuúgu iEu md¾Yjhlf.au wjYH;d iy whs;sjdisl ï
i¾j iïmq¾K f,i ,ndosh yels fkdfõ' tfy;a tla md¾Yjhlf.a whs;sjdislï ,ndoSu ioyd ;j;a md¾Yjhlf.a
whs;Ska iSud l< hq;af;a tfia fkdlru ners wjia:djl muKs' tjeks iSud lsrSuloSo widOdrKhla ùu yels;dla wju
uÜgulg f.ktaug yels iEu m%hka;hlau oersh hq;=h' Rosco Pound g wkqj fufia ls%hd;aul jk kS;shla
ilialrk wêlrKhla iudc bkacsfkareuh ld¾hhla bgqlrhs'
fuu isoaOsfhaoS ú;a;slreg j.lSu mejrSug wêlrKh miqng jqfha Wla; lreKq
i,ld n,ñks' meñKs,sldrsf.a r:hg ydks isÿù we;s w;r ;u foam, /l.ksñka wk;=re rys;j fudag¾ r:hla Ndú;d
lsrSug wehg whs;shla ;sfí' meñKs,sldrshf.a ieñhdg wef.a r:h mrsyrKh lsrSug whs;shla we;s kuq;a OdjkfhaoS
m%fõYfuka th Ndú;d lsrSu Tyqf.a hq;=luls' tfy;a fuu wk;=r isÿj we;af;a Tyqf.a fkdie,ls,a, u; fkdfõ'
wêfõ.S ud¾. bosfldg we;af;a lsis ndOdjlska f;drj wêfõ.fhka .uka lsrSughs' wêlrKh fï nj fkdi,ld" tjeks
ud¾. fj; i;=ka ksoyia lrk mqoa.,hskag iykhla ÿkfyd;a isÿjkafka bkamiqj lsisu r:ysñfhl=g wêfõ.S ud¾.j,
iqrlaIs; ye.Sulska hq;=j .uka lsrSug fkdyels ùfuka iudc ld¾hlaIu;dj ìojeàuhs' tfy;a fuysoS i;aj lojqre
© Thishantha Wijayakoon 97/L/3485, &
Indika Sampath Cooray 97/L/ 3319.
Faculty of Law, University of Colombo.
3
http://wikoon.itgo.com
ysñhdgo idOdrK f,i ;u cSúldj mj;ajdf.k hdug whs;shla we;s w;r wkqkaf.a fkdie,ls,su;a ls%hdj,g w;súYd,
m%udKfha wu;r j.lSula oerSug Tyqg fkdyelsh' tfiakï fuysoS " mqoa., whs;Ska iy iudc iqrlaIs;;djh " hk
lreKq w;r ;=,khla we;s lsrSug wêlrKhg isÿj ;sfí'
m%YaK.; isoaOshg fmr wêfõ.S ud¾.h Ndú;d lrk u.Ska yd i;aj lojqr w;r
we;s úhyels funÿ .eg¨ msgqoelSu ioyd fhdod;snq ms<shu jqfha wdrlaIs; jegla fhoSuhs' th fN!;sl bkacsfkareuh
m%;sl¾uhls' m%YaKhg uq," fuu jeg isÿre lsrSuhs' m%dfoaYsh ljqkais,h úiska fuu jeg isÿre lf<a ck;djf.a c,
wjYH;d iemhSu ioyd jq jHdmD;shlg u. újr lrkq ioydhs' tmuKla fkdj Tjqka fuh isÿlf<a i;aj ysñlref.a
lojqr ueoska w;=re mdrlao ks¾udKh lrñKs' uyck hym; wruqKq fldg l< fuu ls%hd ksid ta jkúg;a i;aj
lojqre ysñlrejd jk ú;a;slref.a whs;sjdislï o iEfyk uÜgñka iSud ù ;snq nj fmfka' fuysoS ienE jrolr ;snqfka
ú;a;slre fkdfõ' f.aÜgqjl wjYH;dj Woa.; jqfha ú;a;slref.a lojqr ksid nj i;Hhla jk kuq;a ;ud w¨;ska
ksrSudKh l< f.aÜgqj ms<sno jeä j.lSula we;af;a m%dfoaYSh ljqkais,hg jk w;r f.aÜgqjg uqrlrefjl= oeófï
yelshdj tu ljqkais,hg fyda c, jHdmD;sfha mrsmd,lhskag ;sìKs' tfukau c, jHdmD;sl ks,OdrSka f.aÜgqj jidoeóu
jeks b;d iq¨ jq ;u hq;=lï bgq l<dkï funÿ .eg¨jla Woa.; fkdfõ' ñka fmkS hkafka wêlrKhg ;u ;=,k
ld¾hhfhaoS i,ld ne,Sug isÿjq lreKq j, we;s ixlS¾K;ajhhs'
fï wkqj wêlrKh fuysoS ú;a;slref.a whs;sjdislï /lSug jeä keUqre;djhla
oelaùu mqÿuhla fkdfõ' fuu kvqfõoS wjOdrKh l< mq¾fõlaIK yelshdj1 iy hqla;siy.; mshjr.ekSu hk wjYH;d
u.ska ienúkau wruqKq flfrkafka ;ks mqoa., whs;sjdislï /lSuhs' fyj;a ú;a;slreg jeä ;ekla ysñfõ' ienúkau
fkdie,ls,a, ms<sno kS;s ;;ajh ;=< kvqjla id¾:l lr.ekSu wmyiq lghq;a;la ù we;af;a tfyhsKs' hqla;siy.;
mshjr.ekSu hk wjYH;dj u.ska m%ldY lrkafka kS;sh úiska " hful= ;udf.a ls%hdfjka isÿjk ydkshla je<elaùug
.;yels Wmrsu yd ish¨u wdrlaIs; mshjr .ekSula " wfmalaId fkdlrk njhs' ta wkqj kS;sh wfmalaId lrkafka
ú;a;slreg jehl< yels uq,Huh yd wfkl=;a iïm;a u; .;yels Wmrsu mshjr muKs' fuu m%;sm;a;sh uq,a ne,afukau
újdo iïmkak lreKls' ;udf.a ls%hdfjka wfkfll=g ydkshla úhyels nj oek oeku iy tu ydksh je<elaùug .;
yels kshu mshjr .ekSugo ;udg fkdyels nj oek oeku tu mqoa.,hd ;u ls%hdj wdrïN lrkafka l=uk fya;=jla
u;o@ tnÿ ls%hdjla tlfy,du fkdie,ls,a,su;a yd wk¾:ldrS ls%hdjla f,i w¾:ksremKh lsrSu ÿIalr fkdfõ'
úfYaIfhkau mqoa.,sl iajd¾:lduh ;ld tnÿ ls%hdjl ksr;fjñka iudchg ydkslr f,i ls%hdlsrSu jq l,S oS,sla;uh
j.lSu muKla fkdj idmrdOs j.lSuo mejrsh yels iudcúfrdaOS ls%hdjls' tfy;a ydksh je<elaùug .; yels kshu
mshjr .ekSug ;udg fkdyels nj oek oeku tnÿ ls%hdjla wdrïN lrkafka ;u iajd¾:h ioyd fkdj iudcSh
Wmfhda.S;djh (Social Utility) ksid kï iy ydkshla ùug we;s úhyelsNdjh (Probability) b;d wvq ksid kï
tnÿ ls%hdjl ksr;ùfïoS we;s jq ydks j,g j.lSu mejrSu ÿIalrh' l=.¾ kvqfõ i,ld ne,Q idOl óg;a jvd fjkiah'
tysoS ú;a;slre w¨;ska ls%hdjla wdrïN fkdl< w;r oS¾> ld,hla ;siafia ;u f.dúm, mj;ajdf.k .sfhah'
wk;=reodhl ;;ajh ks¾udKh jqfha tu m%foaYhg w¨;ska tl;=jq msrsia j, ls%hd ksidh' ta wkqj ls%hdjla wdrïN lsrSfï
wjia:dj wkqj;a j.lSu fjkia úh yelsh' ksoiqkla f,i fuu kvqfõoS " c, jHdmD;shg hk w;=re ud¾.h oS¾ >
ld,hla mej;=fka kï yd ú;a;slre ;u i;aj f.dúm, tu m%foaYhg miqld,Skj f.k wdfõ kï ;Skaÿj fjkia jkakg
bv;sfí' flfia kuq;a funÿ wjia:dkql=, lreKq u; msysgd wêlrKh fuu kvqfõoS ú;a;slrej j.lSfuka ksoyia l<;a
fjkia lreKq biau;= jk óg iudk isoaOhloS wêlrKfha ;Skaÿj fjkia úh yel' kq;kfhaoS ud¾.hla wi, i;aj
f.dúm,la mj;ajdf.k hkafkl= flfrys wêlrKh úiska óg jvd j.lSula mejrSug bv we;af;ah'
tfy;a l=.¾ kvqfõoS wêfõ.S ud¾.hla Ndú;d lrk fmdÿck;djf.a wdrlaIdj
ms<sno wêlrKh oelajq wjOdkh uo nj lsisfjl= úiska ;¾l l< yelsh' kuq;a fuysoS fuu ish¨ .eg¨ Woa.;ùug
jl%j n,mEfõ" ck;djf.a c,h ms<sno wjYH;djh mq¾K lsrSug l< ls%hdjla njo wm úiska wu;l l< hq;= ke;'
Wla; lreKq wkqj fmkS hkafka wêlrK úiska os,sla; kS;sh hgf;a mqoa., yd
idudcSh wjYH;d flfrys b;d iqlaIu mrSlaIKhla lsrSfuka wk;=rej " tl w;lska mqoa., ksoyi ;yjqrelr
.ekSfuys,d;a wfk;a w;ska idudcSh wdrlaIdj ia:dms; lsrSfuys,d;a iudc bxcsfkareuh fufyjrla isÿlrk njhs'
Cambridge water company v. Eastern Countries Leather plc.
flfia kuq;a oS,sla; kS;sfha;a f;dar; kS;sfha;a uq,sl mokula jq fuu fkdie,ls,a,
ms<sno jroldrS;aj hgf;a j.lSu mejrSfï m%;sm;a;sh miqld,Skj úfõpkh jkakg úh' fuu m%;sm;a;sh ksid kS;sfha
1
fuu lreK ms<snoj flaïì%ca kvqfõoS i,ld nef,a'
© Thishantha Wijayakoon 97/L/3485, &
Indika Sampath Cooray 97/L/ 3319.
Faculty of Law, University of Colombo.
4
http://wikoon.itgo.com
j¾Okhg ndOdjla isÿù we;s nj n¾fI,a olajhs' l=uk ndOdjlao h;a oS,sla; kS;sfha yd f;dar; kS;sfha m%Odk wruqK
jq jkaos f.ùu ms<sno mrud¾:h " kS;sh ;=<skau we;s ù ;sfnk fujeks úOsnoa;d fodaI ksid úkdY ù hduhs' fï ksid
oS,sla; kS;sh wjrg hk kS;s l%uhla f,i fndfyda fokd yÿkajkag mgka .eksKs' óg ms<shula f,i úfYaIfhkau bx.S%is
fmdÿ kS;sfha ìysjq ixl,amhla jkafka jroldrS;ajfhka f;dr j.lSu mejrSfï isoaOdka;hhs' fuu isoaOdka;fha wdrïNh
jkafka rhs,kaâ t' f|f,p¾ kvqjhs1' tu.ska Wla; fkdie,ls,a, ms<sno wjYH;dj md.d oeóug lsishï W;aidyhla
.kakd ,os' j¾:udkh jkúg bx.S%is kS;sfha fuu ixl,amh " ksIamdok j.lSu" m%;smqreI j.lSu " lrorh ms<sno
f;dar;h wdoS wxY j,ska j¾Okh ù ;sfí' tfy;a b;d uE;ld,Sk kvqjla jq Cambridge water company v.
Eastern Countries Leather plc. u.ska fuu kS;s Odrfõ fjkila we;s lrk ,oafoah' tu ksid tu kvq ;SrKh
fjfiiskau i,ld ne,Su jgfkah'
fuu kvqfõoS ú;a;slrejkaf.a iïmoï lsrSfï l¾udka;h ioyd iqmqreÿ f,i Ndú;d
l< oshfjk iq¨ rdidhk o%jHh fmdf<djg ldkaÿ ù " wk;=rej meñKs,slrejkaf.a c, iud.fï ,sxj,g ñY%úh' c,h
úIù udkqIsl mrsyrKhg kqiqÿiq jqfhah' fï ksid fjk;a ,sola lmd .ekSug jkaos uqo,a b,a,d c, iud.u úiska fuu
kvqj mjrkakg fhosKs' wm úiska idlÉpd flfrk " tys wjika idñ uKav, ;SkaÿfõoS rhs,kaâ rS;sh wkqj hñka
ú;a;slrejkaj j.lSfuka ksoyia lf<a mq¾fõlaIKh ms<sno wjYH;dj Tmamq lsrSug meñKs,s lrejkag fkdyels jqfhah
hk mokñKs' fuh úfYaI lreKla jkafka rhs,kaâ rS;sh ;=< tf;la mq¾fõlaIKh ms<sno wjYH;dj fkd;sîu;a fuu
kvqfõoS rhs,kaâ rS;shg tu wjYH;dj w¨f;ka yÿkajdoSu;ah'
rhs,kaâ rS;sh úfYaIfhkau bx.S%is kS;shg yÿkajdfokq ,enqfõ fuf;la úúO
wjYH;d Tmamq lsrSug isÿùu ksid jkaos ,nd.ekSu w;sYh wmyiq ù ;snqKq orovq kS;sh ,sys,a lrkq ioydh' ta hgf;a
lshjqfka hful= ;udf.a wjYH;d ioyd " m,dhdfuka wk¾:hla isÿl< yels fohla " ;udf.a foam, ;=< /ialrhso"
tjeks m,dhdula ksid isÿjk ydksj,g tu mqoa.,hd fj; Rcq j.lSu mejfrk njhs' tkï fuysoS Tyq ;=< fkdie,ls,a,
wdoS jroldrS;ajhla fkd;snqK;a isÿjk ydks ioyd Tyq úiska wksjd¾fhkau j.lsj hq;= fõ' fñ ksid iudc
iqrlaIs;;djh ms<sno jeä wjOdkhla we;súh' flaïì%ca kvqfjka kej; mgq lsrSug W;aiyd lf<a fuu kS;s ;;ajhhs'
fuu kvqfjka w¨;ska tl;= l< mq¾fõlaIKh ms<sno wjYH;dj yÿkd.ekSu
jeo.;ah' th oS,sla; kS;sfha fkdie,ls,a, hgf;a i,ld n,k wjYH;d jhla fõ' ;udf.a ls%hdj ksid úfYaIfhkau
meñKs,slreg ydkshla ùug idudkH úhyelsNdjhla (General Probability) mj;sk nj hqla;siy.; mqoa.,fhl=
f,i ú;a;slreg l,skau oelSug yels jqfha kï tysoS mq¾fõlaIKh ms<sno wjYH;d jh Tmamq ù we;ehs wêlrKh
i,lhs' fuu wjYH;d jh 60 jirlg wdikak ld,hla ;siafia f;dar; kS;sh ;=< i,ld ne¨fõh hk ;¾lh o fuysoS
idñuKa,h m%ldY flrsKs' tfy;a fuysoS wmg fmkS hkafka rhs,kaâ rS;shh yÿkajdoSfuka wfmalaId l< foa wkqj i,ld
n,k úg fuh kS;sh wdmiaig .uka lsrSula jk njhs' ukaoh;a jroldrS;ajfhka f;dr j.lSu ms<sno ixl,amh " kq;k
wjYH;d ioyd uE;loS ol=Kq wm%sldj ;=< mekjq mk;a j,ska mjd ms<sf.k ;sfí' 1941 lïlre jkaos mk; hgf;a
jevìu ;=< fiajlfhl=g isÿjk iEu wk;=rlgu" jro ldf.ao hkak fkdfidhd fiajdfhdaclhdg j.lSu mjrkq ,eìKs'
tfukau 1962 wxl 74 orK ..kd.uk mk; hgf;a .=jka wk;=re j,g;a 1982 wxl 92 orK kHIaál Yla;s mk;a
hgf;a kHIaál wk;=re j,g;a h:d¾; j.lSu mjrd ;sfí' úfYaIfhkau j¾;udkfha Ndú;d jk ixlS¾K
;dlaIKhkaf.ka hq;a l¾udka; lghq;= j,oS ydks mq¾fõlaIKh lsrSfu yelshdj b;d w,am nj isyslghq;=h'
;u ;SkaÿfõoS rhs,kaâ rS;sh mgq lsrSu ioyd Goff idñjrhd n,j;a W;aidyhl
ksh¨Kq nj fmfka' Tyqf.a uq,au ;¾lh jqfha rhs,kaâ rS;sh " wiajdNdúl foam, mrsyrKhla we;s wjia:dj,g muKla
iSud jk njhs' óg fmr my< wêlrK úksiqreo wiajdNdúl mrsyrKh kue;s idOlh imqrd,kakg fkdyels ùu u;
meñKs,s lrejkaf.a b,a,Su m%;slafIam lrk ,os' ukao h;a fuu l¾udka;h msysáfha ld¾ñl .ïudkhl jk neúka
N=ñhg wod,j th ridhksl Ndú;h wiajdNdúl foam, mrsyrKhla fkdjk ksidh' l¾udka; mqrjrhl fld;rï úI
iy.; ridhksl o%jh Ndú;d lsrSu isÿlr;;a iy tu úI o%jh m,dhdu ksid ta wdYs%;j fld;rï wk¾:hla isÿjqj;a
kS;sfhka j.lSula Woa.; fkdlsrSu fuu wiajdNdúl foam, mrsyrKh ms<sno ixl,amfhka ,enk m%;sm,hhs' fujeks
ixl,amhla ìysùug fya;= idOl jqfha ld¾ólrKh ;=< ;ks mqoa., whs;sjdislï j,g jvd ld¾ólrK wjYH;d iy
tkhska oS¾>ld,Sj ,efnk fmdÿ wd¾:sl jdiSka flfrys jeä wjOdkhla oelaúh hq;=hehs tjl wêlrKh l,amkd lsrSuhs'
fï nj fuu kvqfõoSo jld%ldrfhka olajkakg fhosKs tkï ck;djg m%fhdackj;a foam, mrsyrKhla" wiajdNdúl
foam, mrsyrKhla fkdfõh hk woyi idñ uKav,h mqkqreÉpdrKh lf<ah' idudkH lïy,l mqmqrK o%jh wdYs%;
ksIamdkh lsrSu mjd wiajdNdúl foam, mrsyrKhla fkdjk njg jrloS wêlrKh úiska ;Skaÿ lf<a" hqO wjYH;djka"
1
Rylands v. Fletcher (1868) L.R. 3 H.L. 330
© Thishantha Wijayakoon 97/L/3485, &
Indika Sampath Cooray 97/L/ 3319.
Faculty of Law, University of Colombo.
5
http://wikoon.itgo.com
ld,Skj jvd jeo.;a f,i ie,l= ksidh1' wêlrKh fufia l=uk wjYH;djh " jeo.;a jkafka oehs uksk ñïu l=ulao @
Rosco Pound wjOdrKh lrkafka fuu mgyeks wjYH;d yÿkdf.k tajdfha we;s iudcuh jeo.;alu wkqj j¾.
l< hq;= njhs' fufia j¾.SlrKh lsrSu ioyd ksIaÑ; ñkqï oKavla fidhd.; fkdyels hehs olajk Tyq mjikafka
wjia:dkql=, idOl j,g wkqj tu wjYH;djhka yels;dla Wmrsu uÜgñka idlaId;a lr.ekSug yels jk fia kS;sh
Ndú;d l< hq;= njhs' flfia kuq;a idñ uKav,h fuysoS lf<a PEARSON COMMISSION ys ks¾foaY wkq.ukh
lSrSu hehs Salomond & Heuston2 fpdaokd uqLfhka mjihs' ukao h;a wd¾;sl wruqKq ;ld tu fldñiu úiska
rhs,kaâ rS;sh wfydais lrk f,i olajd ;snq neúKs'
fuu kvqfõoS kj wjYH;d jhla yÿkajdoS ú;a;slrejkaj j.lSfuka ksoyia lsrSu"
kS;sfõoSka o oeä f,i úfõpkh lrhs' Tony Weir3 mjikafka fuu ;SrKh ksid mrsirfõoSka ÿlaiqiqï fy,oaoS
l¾Audka;lrejka iekiqï iqiqï fy,k njhs' tfukau oS,sla; kS;sfha mrud¾:h .efgk whs;sjdislï ;=,kh lsrSu nj
wms okafkuq' tla w;lska mqoa.,hkag hym;a mrsirhla wdrlaId lroSu;a wks;a w;ska wd¾;sl ld¾hlaIu;dj mj;ajd
.ekSu;a hk wjYH;d folu kS;sh úiska iemsrsh hq;=fõ' ñksiqka wêlrKh bosrshg tkafka orejka msfhl=f.ka hqla;sh
n,dfmdfrd;a;=jkakdla nÿ úYajdihlsKs' tu ksid tla wjYH;djhla fyda tla md¾Yjhla flfrys muKla
mlaImd;S;ajhla oelaùug wêlrKhg fkdyelsh' fuu kvqfõ m%YaK.; l¾udka;h msysáfha tajdgu úfYaIfhka fjka
lrk ,o ìul nj ienEjls' tfy;a mqoa.,fhl=g hym;a mrsirhla wjYH;djh o wo jk úg f,dalh mqrd uy;a
by<ska ms<s.efkïka mj;S' tfyhska fuu kvqfõoS wd¾;sl ld¾hlaIu;dj mj;ajd .ekSug jeä keUqrejla we;sjk fia
kS;sh ieliSu jrola nj;a isÿúh hq;af;a Bg m%;súreoaOjq úma,ùh fjkila nj;a Lord Woolf olajhs4'
ñka fmkS hkafka fuu kvqj u.ska kS;sfhka wfmalaIs; iudc bkacsfkareuh ld¾h
Nd¾hh yrsyeá bgq ù ke;s njhs' tfy;a wm úiska ó,.g idlÉpd lrkq ,nk YS%rdï kvqj" fuu fodaIhkag ms<shï
imhd os,sla; kS;sf;a w.h kej; jrla ikd: lrk wdldrh oelsh yelsh'
Shriram Gas Leak Case
1984 j¾IfhaoS os,a,s kqjr msysgd we;s bkaoshdfõ úYd,;u l¾udka;dh;khla jk
YS% rdï wdh;kfha talllhlska .Eia jdhqjla ldkaÿ ùu ksid úYd, ck;djlg ydks isÿ jQ w;r tys,d jkaos
whlr.ekSu ioyd fuu kvqj mjrk ,os' fuysoS meñKs,slrejka jqfha ienúkau ydkshg m;a md¾Yjh fkdj Ndr;fha
mrsirh /l.ekSfuys,d kS;sfha wdf,dalh m;=rejd,Sug buy;a fufyjrla lrk fï;d keu;s kS;s{hdh' Tyq fï jk
úg mrsir ÿIK ksid ydkshg m;ajQjka fjkqfjka kS;sfha msysg b,a,Su ioyd m%n, kvq 40 g wdikak .Kkla f.dkq
fldg ch.;a mqo.,fhls' fñ isoaOSh isÿjkúg" f,dalh" p¾fkdì,a úlsrK wk;=r yd bkaoShdfõ 3500lg ure
leojñkao fo,laIhlg jeä .Kklg buy;a ;=jd, isÿlrñkao isÿjq fndamd,a mrsir wk;=r u.ska " úYd,
l¾udka;hkaf.a ls%hdldrS;ajh ms<sno w;s fõokd;aul w;aoelSula ,ndf.k ;snqKs' iudc iqrlaIs;;djh ms<sno jq ye.Su
lvùfuka yd udkj ixy;sfha brKu ms,sno we;s jq wrdcsl núka hq;=j ld¾ólrKh ms<sno kej; jrla is;d ne,Sug
iudch iqodkï jq wjOshlhs fuu wk;=r isÿjqfha' fuysoS ;SrKh foñka n.j;S úksiqre ;=ud oS,sla; yd f;dar; kS;shg
kj ux fm;la újr lf<ah' Tyq bx.S%is kS;sfha rhs,kaâ rS;sh mjd bj; ouñka ìojeà ;snq iudc whs;Skaf.a ;=,kh
m%;sixialrKh lsrSu ioyd ksh; j.lSfï ixl,amh (Absolute Liability) kñka kj rS;shla ìys lrk ,os' ta
mS<snoj Tyqf.au meyeos,s lsrSu fufiah'
" We are of the view that an enterprise which is engaged in a hazardous or
inherently dangerous industry which poses a potential treat to the health and
safety of persons working in the factory and residing in the surrounding areas
owes an absolute and non delegable duty to community to ensure that no
harm results to anyone on account of the hazardous or inherently dangerous
nature of the activity which it has undertaken "
1
Reed v. Leyon (1947) AC156
Salomond & Heuston op.cit.313
3 Tony Weir, Case book on Tort , p 471.
4 " I certain that if environmental law is to develop as it should in this country. We have not only modify our existing law
much more radical approach. This is what has already happened in other part of the world. "
2
© Thishantha Wijayakoon 97/L/3485, &
Indika Sampath Cooray 97/L/ 3319.
Faculty of Law, University of Colombo.
6
http://wikoon.itgo.com
j¾;udk iudcfha Woa.;j mj;sk wd.ka;=l ;;ajhka flfrys úuis,su;a jq
wêlrKh" úYd, nyqcd;sl iud.ï úiska uyd mrsudKfhka ksIamdok l¾udka; wrnd we;s nj;a ck.%yK j¾Okh ;=<
tu l¾udka; j,ska fndfyduhla ckdYS%; m%foaYj,u msysgqjd we;s nj;a jgyd .;af;ah' tfukau úoHdfõ yd kj
;dlaIKfha isÿù we;s w;suy;a fjkialï ksid hï l¾udka;hlg l=uk ;dlaIKhla fhdod.kSo @ tu ;dlaIKh
wk;=reodhl jkafkao@ wk;=reodhl jkafka kï ta l=uk m%udKhlskao @ wdoS lreKq jgyd .ekSu fukau tu ;dlaIKh
Ndú;fhaoS fkdie,ls,a,la Woa.; úhyelafla ljr wjia:djloSo @ l=uk wdh;khla úiska hï wk;=rlg j.lsj hq;=o
wdoS lreKq ;SrKh lsrSu mjd b;d ÿIalr jk nj jgyd .;af;ah' tfukau fuu kj;u iudc m%YaK j,g idïm%odhsl
kS;suh ms<shï ,ndoSfuka m,la ke;s nj mejiq n.j;S úksiqre wjOdrKh lf<a úfYaIfhkau mrsirh úkdYùfuka yd
tkhska ck;djf.a cSj;aùfï whs;sh mjd úkdYùfuka " iudch fírd.ekSu ioyd mj;sk rhs,kaâ rS;sh ksIam,
m%;sl¾uhla njhs' ukao h;a rhs,kaâ rS;sh fhosh yels jqfha wiajdNdúl foam, mrsyrKh lrk mqoa .,hkag tfrysj
muKls' j¾;udkfhaoS " .Eia " ridhksl o%jh wdoS m,dhEfuka ñksidg wk;=re úhyels fndfyda o%jHhka fï jk úg
tosfkod f.orfodf¾ Ndú;hg .kakd idudkH foa njg m;a ù we;s w;r tksid wiajdNdúl foam, mrsyrKhla hehs
w¾:oelaúh yels ls%hdjla fkdue;s jk ;;ajhg iudch m;aj ;sfí' ;jo lsishï nyqcd;sl l¾udka;dh;khla mrsirg
b;d ydkslr o%jH ;u mrsY%fha /ialr ;nhso foaj ls%hdjlska fyda wd.ka;=lfhl=f.a ls%hdjlska fyda ydkshg m;a whf.a
wkque;sh we;sj isÿjq ls%hdjlska fyda jHjia:dms; m%;smdok hgf;a l< ls%hdjlska fyda " tu o%jH m,df.dia fld;rñ
wk;=rla isÿjqj;a tys,d rhs,kaâ rS;sh fhoSfuka tu wdh;khg j.lSu mejrSug fkd yelaflah' tu ksid úoHdj yd
;dlaIKh wo ;rï m%lgj fkd;snqKq hq.hloS j¾Okh jq rhs,kaâ rS;sh kQ;k iudc ydkSka msgqoelSug m%udKj;a
fkdjk nj n.j;S úksiqre fufia wjOdrKh lf<ah'
" Considerable case law has developed in England as to what is natural and
what is non natural user of the land and what are precisely the circumstances
in which this rule may be displaced. But it is not necessary for us to consider
these decisions. The rule evolved in 19 century at a time when all these
developments of science and technology had not taken place and can not
afford any guidance in evolving any standard of liability, consistent with the
need of present day economy and social structure."
fkdie,ls,a, fyda fjkhï wjYH;djhla fyda Tmamq fkdfldg os,sla;uh m%;sl¾uhla
myiqjka id¾:l lr.ekSu u.ska jkaos ,nd.ekSug" ydks,o md¾Yjhlg yelshdj ,efnk mrsos " ksh; j.lSfï
ixl,amh yÿkajdÿkafka tfyhsKs' ta hgf;a mqoa.,fhl=g ydksodhl úhyels TkEu l¾udka;hl fhfok lrk ;eke;a;d"
;u lïy, ;=< isák fiajlhkag fukau wi, mosxÑhj isák ck;djg ta ms<snoj wksjd¾fhka j.lSug nefok w;r
;ukaf.a fkdj foúhkaf.a ls%hdjla ksid ydkshla jqj;a ksh;ju jkaos f.úh hq;=fõ' fuysoS l¾udka; ysñlrejkg
widOdrKhla jkafkaoehs i,ld ne,sh hq;=h' fufia tu iud.u úiska ydkslr o%jh /ialrkafka ck;djg mSvd lsrSug
fkdj yqÿ ksIamdok l¾;jHhh ioyd nj i;Hhls' kuq;a ;u ksIamdok j,ska tu iud.ï w;súYd, ,dN Wmhk nj;a
iuyrúg ksis mrsir wdrlaIl l%u wkq.uk fkdlr tajdhska mjd ,dN Wmhk nj;a i;Hhlau fõ' wfkla w;g tu
iud.ï ksid ydks isÿ jq úg thska jeä mSvdjg m;a jk ÿmam;=kag jkaoshla f.ùu jq l,S tu iud.ï j,g b;d iq¨
msrsjehla muKla jk nj isyslghq;= fjhs'
fuu ;Skaÿfjka fy<sjkafka iudc úoHd;aul .=rel=,jdoSka mjik mrsos bkaoSh
wêlrKh úiska kq;k wd¾;sl yd iudc jHqyh ms<sno oeä f,i ixfõoS jq njhs' úksiqre ;ud l< hq;= iudc
úoHd;aul bkacsfkareuh ld¾hh meyeos,s lf<a fufiah'
" Law has to grow in order to satisfy the needs of the fast changing society
and keep abreast with the economic developments taking place in the
country.....Law can not afford to remain static .....We have to evolve new
principles and lay down new norms..... We no longer need the crutches of a
foreign legal order...We have to develop our own law and there is no reason
why we should hesitate to evolve a principle of liability merely because it has
not been done so in England. "
© Thishantha Wijayakoon 97/L/3485, &
Indika Sampath Cooray 97/L/ 3319.
Faculty of Law, University of Colombo.
7
http://wikoon.itgo.com
tkñ fuysoS mj;sk kS;sh ia;s;slj ;nd.ekSu fyda úfoaY kS;ska wkaOdkqlrKfhka
wkq.ukh lsrSu fyda fkdj iudcdkql=, fjkialï wkqj kS;sh j¾Okh l< hq;= h hk oeä ye.Sul bkaoSh wêlrKh
isá nj fmfka' kS;sfha kdNsh mj;skafka iudch ;=<h hk idudcúoHd;aul ms<s.ekSug fuu kvqfõoS by<skau .relrk
,o nj wmg m%ldY l< yelsh'