Rankadu Arachchilage Sunil Shantha & Another v. J.M.U.K. Jayasekera & Others – CA WRIT/NO.14/2014-2021

In the case between Rankadu Arachchilage Sunil Shantha and Rankadu Arachchilage Malani, the court addressed the legal issue of whether a nomination of a successor to a land permit under the Land Development Ordinance was valid when not registered during the permit-holder’s lifetime, and whether the subsequent grant to the alleged nominee conferred lawful title. It was held that the nomination of the 6th respondent (Malani) was invalid as it was not duly registered before the death of the original permit-holder (Kirinaide). Further, it was determined that Baby Nona, granted the land after Kirinaide, acquired full ownership free of life-interest limitations. The court reaffirmed the principle that for a nomination of successor to have legal effect under the Land Development Ordinance, compli