Navaratnarasa Jayalingam v. Kuda Bandara Wettewa – SC APPEAL 158/2014-2017

In the case between Navaratnarasa Jayalingam, Navaratnarasa Jeevalingam, and Navaratnarasa Jothilingam (Appellants) and Kuda Bandara Wettewa (Respondent), the court addressed the issue of rightful possession and entitlement to a disputed land following an informal agreement and subsequent lease transaction. It was held that the Respondent was estopped from denying possession due to entering into a lease as the owner and failing to contest the Appellants’ notice of termination, affirming that conduct and documentary evidence can give rise to legal estoppel affecting title and possession. Principles of estoppel and the probative value of documentary evidence were emphasized, with reliance on established case law such as Jayasundera Vs. Dantanarayana and Harrison Vs. Wells, reiterating that a