Dikwella Widanage Jardiyas vs Sellahewage Sugathadasa – CA 1099/95-2011

In the case between Dikwella Widanage Hansawathi (substituted plaintiff for Dikwella Widanage Jardiyas) and Sellahewage Sugathadasa (defendant), the court addressed whether a tenant was in arrears of rent and whether deductions for improvements or repairs were lawfully set off against rental payments. It was held that the tenant was not entitled to unilaterally deduct such expenses from the rent, reaffirming the principle that repairs and improvements require either landlord consent or authorization from the Rent Board, pursuant to the Rent Act. This decision clarified that unilateral improvements or repairs without such procedural compliance confer no set-off right against rent arrears, emphasizing strict adherence to the statutory framework governing tenant rights and landlord obligation