Danthika Lakshamani Abeywardena Wickramasinghe and others Vs. Hettiarachchige Sunny de Alwis and others – CA CASE NO. 1269/2000-2000

The case between Danthika Lakshamani Abeywardena Wickramasinghe and Hettiarachchige Sunny de Alwis addressed the issue of entitlement to funds in a joint bank account following the death of one account holder, specifically whether the surviving joint holder or beneficiaries under a mutual will are entitled to the account balance. It was held that, in the absence of statutory nomination, the express survivorship clause in the joint account mandate governs, conferring entitlement upon the surviving account holder. The principle reaffirmed is that contractually agreed conditions in joint banking arrangements override testamentary directions where survivorship is clearly stipulated. The judgment relied on the National Savings Bank Act, Condition No.5 of the account mandate, relevant provisions