The Officer-in-Charge, Police Station-Mirihana vs Don Sumandasa Ranasinghe – CA PHC 160/2014-2022

In the case between Rev. Amunumulle Jinarathana, Sri Vijayarama Raja Maha Viharaya, and Don Sumandasa Ranasinghe, the court addressed the issue of entitlement to possession of disputed land at the date when information was filed under Section 66 of the Primary Courts’ Procedure Act. It was determined that the 1st Party-Respondent (Don Sumandasa Ranasinghe) was entitled to restoration of possession, as the evidentiary material failed to establish the 2nd Party-Petitioner-Appellant’s (Rev. Amunumulle Jinarathana) possession at the relevant time. The decision reaffirmed that actual possession, supported by credible evidence, is crucial in proceedings under Section 66, relying on consistent application of statutory requirements and precedent on the assessment of documentary and affidavit evide