Jayasekara vs Wimalaratne – sllr 2012 volume 1 page 093

In the case between the plaintiff-appellant (new property owner) and the defendant-respondent (tenant in occupation since 1967, with claimed occupation dating to 1942), the court addressed the issue of the validity of termination notice and the application of tenancy protection under the Rent Act. It was held that a fresh contract of tenancy commenced on 01.03.1988, and the defendant’s protection under Section 22(7) of the Rent Act could not be claimed based on pre-1948 occupation. The holding reaffirmed that a new tenancy agreement resets the relevant date for statutory protection, and that evidenced receipt of statutory notice fulfills legal requirements. Reliance was placed on the proper interpretation of the “specified date” in the Rent Restriction Act, and the non-retrospective operat