Mrs. A. Mayadunne and Mr. H.R. Mayadunne vs Mr. M.A.Q.M. Gazzli – NO.627/10-2012

In the case between Mrs. A. Mayadunne and Mr. H.R. Mayadunne (Central Photo, Gampaha) and Mr. M.A.Q.M. Gazzli, Chairman, Rent Board of Review, Colombo, and others, the court addressed whether the subject premises were exempt from the Rent Act based on their annual value as at 1st January 1968. It was held that the premises’ annual value was correctly determined by the Rent Board of Review to be Rs.2,182/-, thus exempting them from the operation of the Rent Act. The principle reaffirmed was that the assessment of such factual matters is properly within the domain of the Rent Board of Review and will not ordinarily be disturbed absent clear error or legal misdirection. This decision was based on the evidence presented, statutory framework of the Rent Act, and assessment records, underscoring