Musthapa Thamby Lebbe v. Ruwanpathirane – sllr 1986 volume 1 page 201

In the case between Musthapa Thamby Lebbe (Appellant) and Ruwanpathirane (Respondent), the court addressed the interpretation of section 22(1)(d) of the Rent Act concerning whether a tenant’s structural alteration—specifically, the demolition of a bucket latrine and construction of a water-sealed latrine (partially encroaching adjoining land)—constitutes statutory “deterioration” or grounds for ejectment on the basis of nuisance or deterioration. The court held that such actions by the tenant did not amount to deterioration under the Act and rejected the claim for nuisance, reaffirming the principle that statutory grounds for ejectment must be construed reasonably and not every alteration qualifies as a breach. Reliance was placed on statutory interpretation and established legal principle