This Supreme Court judgment (Handuwala Devage Simon Fernando vs Ranepura Devage Hector Jayasiri – SC APPEAL NO.134/14-2020) revolves around a critical interpretation of the Debt Conciliation (Amendment) Act No. 29 of 1999, specifically whether its provisions regarding absolute transfers of land can be applied retrospectively. The core of the dispute lies in Section 19A(1A), which expanded the Debt Conciliation Board’s jurisdiction to include deeds of transfer intended as security for a loan—a category previously excluded.