D.M.R.Wasantha Kumara vs Y.Appuhamy – CA NO. 592/97-2015

In the case between Y. Appuhamy (deceased, substituted by Y.S. Bandara) and D.M. Mudiyanse (deceased, substituted by D.M.R. Wasantha Kumara), the court addressed the issue of legal entitlement to a parcel of crown land. The court held that a valid state land permit (P1) issued to the Plaintiff-Respondent constituted sufficient title, and that the Defendant-Appellant could not establish prescriptive rights against crown property pursuant to the Land Development Ordinance. The validity of the issued permit, the effect of its non-renewal during litigation, and the applicability of legal presumptions under the Evidence Ordinance were considered. The decision reaffirmed that long-term occupation does not defeat state-issued title, emphasizing the statutory bar on prescription against the Crown