Rambukkanage Neela Nandani Fernando v. Weerasuriya Mahawattage Fransis Fernando – CA NO. 923/2000 F-2000

The case between Rambukkanage Neela Nandani Fernando and Weerasuriya Mahawattage Fransis Fernando addressed the issue of whether a purchaser of premises after the specified date under Section 22(7) of the Rent Act No. 7 of 1972 is entitled to institute and maintain an action for ejectment against a tenant whose occupancy predates the purchase. It was held that such an action could not be maintained by the Plaintiff/Appellant, reaffirming the principle that statutory tenant protection prevails against subsequent purchasers. Reliance was placed on the construction of Section 22(7) of the Rent Act, emphasizing that post-specified date purchasers are precluded from seeking ejectment and that tenancies originating prior to the acquisition retain their statutory protections.

Upaly Abeyrathne J.