In Sri Lanka, disputes between musicians and artists over song ownership are more common than you think- raising the big question: who really owns the copyrights for music? In this case, the Supreme Court steps in with a clear and decisive answer. Title: Torana Music Distributors Pvt. Ltd. vs Lucian BulathsinhalaCase Number: SC CHC APPEAL […]
Title: Nuwan Bopage and others vs. Colombo Municipal Council and others Also Known as: Meethotamulla Garbage Dump Case or Meethotamulla CaseCase Number: SC FR 311/2015 & SC FR 318/2015Decided on: 2026-03-31Before: Yasantha Kodagoda, PC, J.; P. Padman Surasena, C.J.; K. Priyantha Fernando, J. Summary of Meethotamulla Garbage Dump Case The case of Nuwan Bopage and
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Asia Broadcasting Corporation v. M.J.K. Dissanayake: A Landmark Right to Information case law on Media Accountability in Sri Lanka The decision in Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Ltd v. M.J.K. Dissanayake and Others (Court of Appeal, 2026) marks an important development in Sri Lanka’s Right to Information (RTI) jurisprudence. The case addresses a critical question: Can
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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 Queen v. M. Sathasivam remains one of the most discussed criminal cases
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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