Mannalage Shanthi Karunanayake and others Vs. Mannalage Roshalin alias Manna Devage Dhayani and others – CA PHC NO.231/2005-2005

In the case between Mannalage Shanthi Karunanayake and Hapuarachchige Charlis (now substituted by Mannalage Roshalin alias Manna Devage Dhayani & Hapuarachchige Upali Ratnasinghe), the court addressed whether the High Court Judge of Ratnapura erred in overturning the Magistrate’s order regarding possession of disputed land. It was determined that the Magistrate acted correctly in granting possession to the 1st party based on evidence and Section 68 of the Primary Court Procedure Act No. 44 of 1979, emphasizing reliance on the 2nd party’s police admissions. The court held that the High Court Judge’s reversal lacked sufficient reasoning and incorrectly found fault with the Magistrate’s assessment. The decision reaffirmed the principle that substantive appellate intervention must be supported