Jayasekera vs Siyadoris et al. – CA 479/98 F -1998

In the case between Mangalagama Wattegedara Jayasekera and Mangalagama Wattegedara Siyadoris (among several plaintiffs and defendants), the court addressed the issue of whether the original owner, Muhandiram, had two or seven children under the relevant pedigree for partition, and the proper application of Kandyan Law in inheritance, legitimacy, and property classification. The court held that the trial judge failed to investigate title thoroughly, did not identify all potential heirs, and accepted a defective plaint, which did not comply with statutory requirements regarding property classification, identification of parties, and procedural notice under the Partition Law. The holding reaffirmed the principle that in partition actions, strict compliance with substantive and procedural requ