Wanigaratne and Another v. Wanigaratne – sllr 1997 volume 2 page 267

In the case between the plaintiff-respondent and the defendant-appellants, the court addressed the issue of entitlement to land possession and compensation for improvements under Roman Dutch Law in Ceylon. It was held that the plaintiff-respondent’s title and possession, based on deed “P11,” stood confirmed as the document had been effectively admitted in evidence without objection. It was further found that the defendant-appellants, having obtained possession by force and without bona fide status, were classified as trespassers and not entitled to compensation for any improvements. The case reaffirmed the principle that a trespasser cannot claim compensation for improvements made without the lawful owner’s consent, following established Roman Dutch legal doctrine. The appeal was dismissed