Theivandran v. Ramanathan Chettiar – sllr 1986 volume 2 page 219

In the case between the owner of the premises at Sea Street, Colombo 11 (Plaintiff/Respondent, an Indian citizen) and a business partner in occupation (Defendant/Appellant), the court addressed the lawfulness of the defendant’s continued occupation following a partnership with the statutory tenant, Sri Renganathan. It was held that mere departure of a statutory tenant does not terminate tenancy or deprive statutory protection under the Rent Act, and that occupation with the tenant’s consent through a partnership agreement could not be deemed unlawful absent sufficient proof from the owner. The key legal principle reaffirmed is that statutory tenants possess exclusive rights of possession against both landlords and third parties, leaving the owner with the burden to establish unlawful occup