Chethana Erandithavo Jayakody vs Lanka Telephone Company (Pvt) Ltd. and others – CA RII 0048/2023-2025

In the matter between Chethana Erandithavo Jayakody (Petitioner) and Lanka Telephone Company (Pvt) Ltd. and others (Respondents), the court addressed the petitioner’s claim to shares based on a will and the procedural requirements for such claims under the Companies Act. It was determined that title claimed under a will can only be established by proof of probate. This decision relied on the principle that a beneficiary cannot be considered a shareholder for the purposes of specific Companies Act sections until the will is proven.

R. Gurusinghe, J. stated that the petitioner filed an application before the Commercial High Court under sections 224 and 225 of the Companies Act, claiming 25% of shares bequeathed by her father’s last will and alleging oppression by the respondents. The resp