M. David Fernando vs M. Ranjith Cooray – 879/95-2011

In the case between M. David Fernando (Plaintiff) and M. Ranjith Cooray (Defendant), the court addressed the issue of whether the plaintiff was entitled to remain in possession of the premises at 459, Galle Road, Kalutara North as a protected tenant against interference by the defendant, following the transfer of ownership of the property. It was held that the plaintiff retained protected tenancy rights and had not repudiated the tenancy relationship by seeking clarification from the Rent Board after the sale of the property to the defendant. The decision reaffirmed the principle that a longstanding tenant is entitled to statutory protections absent clear intention to repudiate the tenancy, and a bona fide inquiry regarding landlord identity does not amount to repudiation. The holding reli