State Bank of India v. Rajapakse – sllr 2002 volume 1 page 138

In the case between the landlord (defendant-appellant) and the tenant (plaintiff-respondent) concerning premises in the State Bank of India Building, the court addressed whether the tenant’s construction of a mezzanine floor amounted to a superficial alteration or a permanent structural alteration. It was determined that the construction constituted a permanent structural alteration and not a temporary or superficial one, invalidating the tenant’s actions in the absence of consent from the landlord and the required municipal authorities. The principle reaffirmed is that tenants are restricted to only superficial alterations necessary for reasonable enjoyment unless express approval is provided, in line with statutory requirements under the Housing and Town Improvement Ordinance. Reliance w