Premasiri and Others v. Kodikara and Another – sllr 1994 volume 3 page 339

In the case between Kodikara and another (Defendants/Appellants) and Premasiri and others (Plaintiffs/Respondents), the court addressed the validity of “paper” title versus prescriptive title to certain land under Kandyan Law. It was held that neither the 1st nor the 2nd Plaintiff/Respondent had acquired prescriptive title, and the Defendants/Appellants remained vested with valid “paper” title. The principles of Kandyan Law and the evidential standards for acquiring title, both by documentary means and through adverse possession, were reaffirmed. The decision emphasized that procedural and evidential deficiencies preclude acquisition of title by prescription, and discrepancies in inventory documents and land extents undermine any claim of adverse possession or prescriptive title. The appea