Wanniarachchi Kankanamge Piyadasa v. Heenpellage Don David Appuhamy – CA NO. 692/99 F-1999

In the case between Heenpellage Don David Appuhamy (Plaintiff/Respondent) and Wanniarachchi Kankanamge Piyadasa (Defendant/Appellant), the court addressed the issue of lawful possession of land and the validity of a State-issued land permit relative to the timing of the legal action. It was determined that the permit supporting the Respondent’s claim was issued after the commencement of proceedings, and discrepancies existed between the land described in the plaint and that identified in the permit and survey plans. The holding established that rights to land must be evaluated as at the date of action’s institution, reaffirming the principle that title and possession cannot be retrospectively validated after action is brought. Reliance was placed on the evidence showing inconsistencies and