D.M. Sumanawathie vs D.M. Susiripala – SC APPEAL 61/2014-2022

In the case between D.M. Sumanawathie (Plaintiff/Appellant-Respondent) and D.M. Susiripala (Defendant/Respondent/Appellant), the Supreme Court considered a dispute concerning the title and ownership of state land. The primary legal issue addressed the validity and evidentiary weight of a land permit (P1) under the Land Development Ordinance, as well as the requisite burden of proof in a rei vindicatio action. The matter arose after the plaintiff asserted title by virtue of permit P1, while the defendant contended an informal acquisition through the plaintiff’s father. The findings established that the burden lay with the plaintiff to definitively prove title, and mere production of a copy of a purported original permit required close scrutiny for sufficiency. Affirming existing principles