Ratnaweera vs. Sugunawathie – SC APPEAL NO. 43/2017-2017

In the case between Amarakoon Kankanamge Sugunawathie and Dhammika Munasinghe (Plaintiffs/Appellants) and Beauty Ramani Ratnaweera, Olokku Patabendige Amarasena, and Olokku Patabendige Yenika Gayani (Defendants/Respondents), the court addressed the issue of rightful ownership and possession of land. It was determined that a licensee is estopped from disputing the title of the owner who permitted occupation, and the Plaintiffs had adequately established their claim to the property through satisfactory documentary and survey evidence. The holding reaffirmed the principle under Section 116 of the Evidence Ordinance and common law that a licensee or tenant cannot contest the title of the person who granted possession. Reliance was placed on survey plans and the identification of the property a