Ratnayake v. Chandratilake and Others – sllr 1987 volume 2 page 299

In the case between Ratnayake (propounder/petitioner-appellant) and Chandratillake and others (intervenient-respondents and parties challenging the will), the court examined the validity of the last will executed by Wimalasena Ratnayake. The principal issues determined included the due execution of the will, allegations of undue influence and coercion, and procedural irregularities related to the appointment of a guardian-ad-litem. The court held that the propounder failed to sufficiently remove reasonable suspicions surrounding the will’s execution, thereby upholding the lower court’s refusal to grant probate. This decision reaffirmed that the burden rests with the propounder to dispel any suspicious circumstances, as derived from relevant authorities and statutory requirements, thereby u