Samarakoon Mudiyanselage Saheli Sajeera Samarakoon vs. Karunadasa Abeywickrema – SC APPEAL NO. 97/2013-2017

In the case between Samarakoon Mudiyanselage Saheli Sajeera Samarakoon (plaintiff-respondent) and Karunadasa Abeywickrema, owner of “Samram Groceries” at High Level Road, Maharagama (defendant-appellant), the court examined whether the disputed business premises qualified as “excepted premises” under the Rent Act based on its annual value and assessment history. It was determined that the burden rested on the plaintiff to establish that the premises fell within the excepted category. After evaluating documentary evidence, especially annual rent assessments from different years, it was held that the premises did not fulfill the statutory criteria for “excepted premises.” Consequently, the prior district and high court judgments were set aside, with the appeal allowed in favor of the defenda