Wijesuriya Hatagala Gamage Karalenchihamy vs Saranasinghe Patabandige Justin – CA 889/2000 F -2000

In the case between Saranasinghe Patabandige Jaytissa (as Substituted Plaintiff–Appellant for Wijesuriya Hatagala Gamage Karalenchihamy) and Saranasinghe Patabandige Justin (Defendant–Respondent), the court examined whether the Defendant was an “ande (tenant) cultivator” under the Agrarian Services Act or merely a licensee of the Plaintiff, and whether this classification affected the District Court’s jurisdiction. The Court of Appeal determined that a mere assertion of tenancy does not oust the District Court’s jurisdiction and found that the Defendant had failed to establish status as an ande cultivator; documentary evidence confirmed the Plaintiff’s registered title. Relief was granted to the Plaintiff, and the District Court’s decision was set aside. Both parties were ordered to bear t