Seneviratne Mudiyanselage Kirihamy Seneviratne vs. Ihala Wahumpurayalage Emalin and others – SC APPEAL NO. 151/2016-2020

In the case between Seneviratne Mudiyanselage Kirihamy Seneviratne (Plaintiff/Appellant-Respondent) and members of the Viyannalage family, among other respondents, the court addressed whether a settlement reached by the Wakirigala Conciliation Board relating to the partition of immovable property could be considered equivalent to a decree under the Conciliation Boards Act. It was held that such a settlement, once registered in the District Court, acquires the force of a decree pursuant to Section 13 of the Conciliation Boards Act. The principle reaffirmed was that the Conciliation Board is empowered to resolve disputes between parties, and, upon registration, its settlements are binding but not equivalent to a judicial partition under the Partition Act, as their operative effect binds only