Kariyawasam Bendigodagamage Premawathie v. Mahavithanage Dona Engalthinahamy – CA NO. 1037/99 F-1999

In the case between Kariyawasam Bendigodagamage Premawathie (Plaintiff/Appellant) and Mahavithanage Dona Engalthinahamy (Deceased) with the Substituted Defendant Paranavithanage Don Jayathilake Perera (Defendant/Respondent), the court addressed the issue of whether the substituted Defendant Respondent was in unlawful occupation of the premises due to alleged non-payment of rent following the death of the original tenant. It was held that continuous payment of rent through deposit at the Municipal Council, in accordance with prior practice and the Rent Act No. 7 of 1972, constituted compliance with statutory obligations, notwithstanding rent deposits being made in the deceased tenant’s name. The principle was reaffirmed that Section 21 of the Rent Act does not require rent deposits to speci