The Queen v. M. Sathasivam [1953] 55 NLR 255 Introduction The Sathasivam Murder Case, formally reported as The Queen v. M. Sathasivam [1953] 55 NLR 255, stands as one of the most significant and controversial criminal cases in Sri Lankan legal history. The murder of Mrs. Sathasivam, the spouse of the famous Sri Lankan cricketer […]
A Critical Analysis of Nawalage Manel Mahendra Dias & Another v. Premalatha & Others The Supreme Court’s judgment in Nawalage Manel Mahendra Dias & Another v. Premalatha & Others(SC Appeal No. 77/2019), delivered on 5 December 2025, stands out as a meticulously reasoned reaffirmation of several foundational principles of property law- particularly rei vindicatio, prescriptive title, and the
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Servitude and Prescription – The Supreme Court decision in W. Arthur Deepal Peiris and Others v. Ranil Perera (SC Appeal 37/2014) has reinforced critical principles of property law, particularly concerning servitudes and prescription, natural water flow rights. The case, which arose from a dispute over rainwater drainage, delves into foundational legal doctrines, including ius fluminis, servitudes by prescription,
An Analysis of SC Appeal No. 211/2012: Bigamy & Void Marriages. The Integrity of Matrimonial Law. Case Title: Udagepolage Gunasiri Seneviratne vs Pattiya Widanage Carmen PremalathaCourt : Supreme Court of Sri Lanka | SC APPEAL 211/2012Before: Priyasath Dep P.C., J., Priyantha Jayawardena P.C., J & Anil Gooneratne J. Introduction The decision of the Supreme Court of Sri
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Clarence Wijewardene Copyright Case: The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, in a landmark judgment delivered on 23 May 2025, reaffirmed the importance of intellectual property rights by ruling in favour of the estate of the late Clarence Wijewardene, one of the country’s most celebrated musicians and composers. The case, brought by his widow Mrs. Sheela
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This important Court of Appeal decision explores the legal parameters of actions for the definition of boundaries – actio finium regundorum – under Sri Lankan law, elucidating the rights of co-owners, the nature of proof required, and the limitations of such actions. It is frequently cited for its comprehensive synthesis of principle and its distinction
Sri Lanka’s “Carrom Board Case”: Top Ministers Jailed for Corruption In a landmark judgment on 29 May 2025, a Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar in Colombo convicted two senior politicians in a corruption scandal widely known as the “Carrom Board Case”. Prosecuted by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), the case involved
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Mahinda Rajapakse v. Chandra Fernando and others (the Helping Hambantota case) SC(FR) App: No. 387/2005 The Bench comprised Chief Justice, Sarath N. Silva, Justice Shirani Tilakawardena, and Justice N.E. Dissanayake. In this case Mahinda Rajapakse cited Chandra Fernando IGP, Lionel Gunatilake, DIG, P. Ampawila, Inspector of Police, Kabir Hashim, MP, and the Attorney General as
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Introduction The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, in the case of Niyakulage Dilruk Sanjeewa Fernando v. Meddakandage Anilka Rohini Perera, has delivered a significant ruling concerning the procedural requirements for filing lists of witnesses and documents in civil litigation. The case, cited as SC/APPEAL/1/2025, revolves around whether a trial court can reject an entire list of
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Marine Pollution Laws in Sri Lanka and the Legal Aftermath of the X-Press Pearl Disaster The X-Press Pearl disaster in May 2021 stands as one of the most catastrophic maritime environmental incidents in recent history. The sinking of this Singapore-registered cargo ship off the coast of Sri Lanka unleashed a torrent of hazardous substances into
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