Mahamarakkalage Mahindarathne Kudabolana v. Rate Ralalage Gedera Anuradha Chathurangani – SC APPEAL 95/2017-2018

In Mahamarakkalage Mahindarathne (Plaintiff-Respondent) v. Rate Ralalage Gedera Anuradha Chathurangani (Defendant-Appellant), the Supreme Court addressed the determination of permanent alimony following a divorce. The principal consideration was whether the post-retirement income and inflation adjustments should influence the quantum of alimony, and whether the High Court’s substantial reduction of the District Judge’s original award was justified. The court ultimately held that permanent alimony must be anchored to the reasonable earning capacity of the obligor, with recalculation to account for changes in income after retirement. The principle reaffirmed was that excessive or speculative increases in alimony, particularly for uncertain post-retirement earnings, are unwarranted. The court