Case Analysis

Can state institutions hide public spending

Can state institutions hide public spending? Landmark Sri Lankan RTI cases explained

Can the navy hide public spending? Court says RTI cannot be blocked by vague ‘National Security’ claims.Landmark Sri Lankan RTI Cases explained. Title: Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Commander, Sri Lanka Navy v. A.A.M.R. Ali and Others Case number: CA CA RTI 08/2023Decided on: 2026-03-19Before: Justice R. Gurusinghe, Justice Dr. Sumudu Premachandra Introduction In a landmark […]

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RTI-Case-Law

Right to information case law – Asia Broadcasting Corporation v. M.J.K. Dissanayake

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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Sathasivam Murder Case Explained

Sathasivam Murder Case Explained: The Queen v. M. Sathasivam – A Landmark Sri Lankan Criminal Law Case

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

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Foundations of Rei Vindicatio and Prescription

Reaffirming the Foundations of Rei Vindicatio and Prescription

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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Determining consent in rape cases

Determining consent in rape cases: Supreme Court Rejects ‘Rape Myths’ 

Title: Punchihewage Sampath Kumara alias Bindu v Hon. Attorney GeneralCase number: S.C.APPEAL 16/2021Decided on: 05/12/2025Before: A.H.M.D. NAWAZ, J. ACHALA WENGAPPULI, J. ARJUNA OBEYESEKERE, J. Consent in rape cases – Either she consented or she did not, no middle ground In a landmark 2025 judgment, the Supreme Court firmly rejected the use of stereotypes and so-called

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Servitude and Prescription - Natural waterflow

Servitude and Prescription | Insights from the Sri Lankan Supreme Court Judgment – Peiris v. Perera

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,

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Bigamy & Void Marriages in Sri Lanka

Bigamy & Void Marriages in Sri Lanka: When Second Marriage is Invalid

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

Clarence Wijewardene Copyright Case: Supreme Court Upholds Artists’ Rights

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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Boundaries & Co-ownership rights

Boundaries & Rights of co-owners | Case Analysis: Alfred Fernando v. Julian Fernando (1987) 2 Sri LR 78

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

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