Siatu vs Kiry Saduwa – clr volume 3 page 017

In the case between the plaintiff (either a lessee or delegatee under deed from the late proprietor) and the defendants (thirteen paraveni tenants or nilakarayas of a Dunagama/Nindagama panguwa, including individuals such as Punchirala, Seneviratne, and others), the court addressed the validity and sufficiency of a lease or deed authorizing recovery of the commuted value of “rajakaria” services. The core issues involved the legal effect of the instrument relied upon, the assignability and character of the services (agricultural versus personal), and whether a District Court’s apportioned decree was final and appealable. It was held that a decree which determines the existence and scope of a cause of action under such an instrument may be appealable, and that a claim based on the mere assig