A.G. Ratnapala Samaraweera vs The Green Inn (Pvt) Limited – CA APPEAL NO. 619/99 F -2013

In the case between A.G. Ratnapala Samaraweera (Plaintiff-Respondent) and The Green Inn (Pvt) Limited (Defendant-Appellant), the court addressed whether the Plaintiff was entitled to an ejectment order against the Defendant on the grounds of rent arrears, and whether the premises qualified as “excepted premises” under the Rent Act No. 7 of 1972. It was held that the Defendant was estopped from denying the business-use status of the premises based on admissions in the lease agreement and was liable for arrears as claimed. The principle reaffirmed that tenants are precluded from challenging the intentionally agreed terms of lease relating to use, especially when supported by clear evidence and statutory provisions. The decision relied on Section 21 of the Evidence Ordinance and excluded the