Tikiri Banda vs Ratwatte – clr volume 3 page 070

In Tikiri Banda v. Ratwatte, the court addressed the devolution of nindegama property following the intestate death of Loku Kumarihamy. The central issue concerned whether, upon the intestate’s death, the property vests immediately in the administrator for purposes of administration, rendering subsequent transfers by an heir-at-law ineffective to convey good title. The validity of further conveyances, alleged to be the result of fraud and collusion, was also challenged. The findings established that, upon death and appointment of an administrator, the legal estate vests in the administrator while the heir-at-law holds only an equitable interest until a lawful transfer occurs. It was determined that the lower court’s dismissal of the plaintiff’s action, based solely on this principle, overl