Deva Sanjeewa Nandalal vs Edirimuni Indrani de Zoysa – CA NO.1252/98-2013

In the case between Deva Sanjeewa Nandalal (substituted for the deceased plaintiff Dent Punchi Singho) and Edirimuni Indrani de Zoysa, Nikkuwa Handi Jayasena, and Merregngna Edwin Mendis, the allocation of an undivided share in land subject to partition was at issue. The main dispute concerned whether the substituted plaintiff-appellant was entitled to an undivided 11/16 share (or alternatively 3/16) as against the 1st defendant, or if the 1st defendant was entitled to the disputed 1/2 share of the land. It was determined that the 1st defendant’s chain of title, based on deeds with earlier execution and registration dates, established a superior claim to the disputed share. The court reaffirmed the principle that earlier and properly registered deeds confer better title, with reference to