H.R.W.M. Chulananda vs Chairman – Mahabodhi Company – CA 386/96-2021

In the case between H.R.W.M. Chulananda (deceased, substituted by H.R.W.M. Kumari Shyamalie and Jayathilaka Mudiyanselage Hemalatha Jayathilaka) and Chairman – Mahabodhi Company, H.R.W.M. Manindra Jayasuriya (nee Somabandu), and others, the court addressed the issue of whether the last will submitted by the petitioner was validly and truly executed by the deceased, Hapugoda Rajapaksha Wannaku Mudianselage Gunapala Somabandu. It was held that the will could not be accepted as an act of the deceased, reaffirming the principle that when witnesses to a will are also beneficiaries, a heightened evidentiary burden lies with the proponent to establish authenticity. This decision relied on evidentiary rules concerning probate and the law relating to fraud in execution of legal documents, emphasizi