H.A.D. Wijepol and Others vs Kalubowilage Dona Sumanawathi – CA NO: 993/96 F -2013

In the case between H.A.D. Wijepol and others (intervenient-petitioner-appellants) and Kalubowilage Dona Sumanawathi (petitioner-respondent), the court addressed the issue of entitlement to letters of administration of the estate of the deceased H.A.D. Benadict. The court held that the earlier order of the District Court of Negombo, which refused the appellants’ application and granted letters of administration to Sumanawathie, should not be set aside. It was established that Sumanawathie was the lawful wife of the deceased, as evidenced by a valid marriage certificate, and the appellants failed to provide sufficient documentary proof of a competing marriage claim. This decision reaffirmed the principle that the grant of letters of administration should be based on lawful entitlement subst