G.Malini Somalatha and A.Melis vs M.Ransa and W.D.Daya Somaratne – CA NO.546/98-2014

The case between Substituted Defendant-Appellants G.Malini Somalatha, A. Melis, and Plaintiff-Respondents W.D. Daya Somaratne and others addressed the issue of title to land under Kandian law. It was determined that the plaintiffs had not established a valid title, as the applicable law restricts a widow’s inheritance to a life interest, without permitting full ownership. The court set aside the District Judge’s judgment awarding title and possession to the plaintiffs. Both the plaintiffs’ and defendants’ substantive claims were dismissed, reaffirming the principle that strict proof of title is necessary under Kandian law. This decision relied on statutory and customary principles applicable to inheritance and title, clarifying that claims for exclusive title cannot succeed absent adequate