Kadireshan Kugabalan vs Sooriya Mudiyanselage Ranaweera – SC APPEAL 36/2014-2014

In the case between Kadireshan Kugabalan (Plaintiff-Appellant) and Sooriya Mudiyanselage Ranaweera (Defendant-Respondent), the court addressed the issue of whether the deed (No.10650 dated 13.12.2001, marked P1) was properly proved in accordance with Section 68 of the Evidence Ordinance. It was held that mere production of a deed executed before a notary was insufficient unless the statutory requirements concerning attestation and verification were strictly complied with. The principle reaffirmed is that a notary, unless personally acquainted with the executant or having verified the identity through competent attesting witnesses, cannot suffice as proof of execution. This determination relied on precedents such as Wijegoonetilleke Vs Wijegoonetilleke and Marian Vs Jesuthasan, reinforcing