Don Harold Stassen Jayawardena v. R.R. Somawathie – CA CASE NO. 36/2000-2000

The case between Don Harold Stassen Jayawardena (Plaintiff/Respondent) and R.R. Somawathie (1A Substituted Defendant-Appellant for original Defendant K.P. Melis Singho) addressed the entitlement to a declaration of prescriptive title to land, the effect of an oral promise to transfer ownership in exchange for caretaking, and claims for compensation for improvements made to the land. It was held that the Defendant did not acquire prescriptive title, as permissive occupation as caretaker does not confer adverse possession unless clear and unambiguous evidence of changed status exists. The alleged promise to give half of the land was found legally unenforceable for non-compliance with requirements for written and notarially attested land transactions under Section 2 of the Prevention of Fraud