Karunaratne vs. Kotalawela – sllr 2021 volume 1 page 533

In the case between Karunaratne (Plaintiff) and Kotalawela (Defendant), the court addressed the applicability of statutory protection under the Rent Act in circumstances where the defendant categorically denies the existence of a tenancy. It was held that by denying the tenancy, the defendant could not avail himself of the statutory protection afforded by the Rent Act, which presumes the existence of a landlord-tenant relationship. The principle reaffirmed is that a party cannot claim the benefit of statutory protections that hinge on certain foundational admissions if those admissions are expressly denied. This decision relied upon interpretation of section 22(7) of the Rent Act and relevant case authorities, underlining that parties are bound by their pleadings and positions taken at tri