Jayasekera vs. Wimalaratne – SC APPEAL NO. 11/2004-2015

In the case between Mrs. D. Jayasekera (née D.H. Hapangama) and Mrs. Eslin Wimalaratne (with substituted defendant Miss I.S. Wimalaratne), the court addressed the issue of whether the statutory notice and occupancy requirements under Sec. 22(7) of the Rent Act were met in proceedings seeking ejectment on grounds of reasonable requirement. It was held that the Plaintiff instituted action following proper statutory notice and compliance with the operative provisions of the Rent Act. The principle reaffirmed was that statutory terms such as “came into occupation” and “the specified date” must be interpreted in light of both the factual matrix and legislative intent to balance landlord and tenant rights. The decision relied on the Rent Act and applicable precedent, clarifying that proper notic