Officer-in-charge, Police Station, Avissawella vs. Massalge Don Dinesh Suminda Wijeratne and others – CA PHC 210/2018-2023

In the case between The Officer-in-charge, Police Station, Avissawella (Plaintiff) and Massalge Don Dinesh Suminda Wijeratne, Imiyahamillage Priyanthika Senaratne, Sooriya Arachchige Maheshika Lakshani, Mohommad Mansoor Mohommad Subaiar, and others (Defendants/Respondents), the court addressed the issue of rightful possession of a disputed premises, specifically concerning the operation of a communication centre. The court held that the High Court Judge had misdirected himself in reversing the Magistrate’s initial finding on possession, and reinstated the Magistrate’s order which favored the 1st and 2nd Appellants. This outcome reaffirmed the principle that the Court of Appeal will intervene where demonstrable error or misdirection by the lower court is established, particularly regarding