Don Andrayas Rajapaksa vs Gnanapala Weerakoon Rathnayake – SC APPEAL NO. 120/09-2017

The case between Don Andrayas Rajapaksa (substituted by Shirantha Pushpalal Rajapaksa) and Gnanapala Weerakoon Rathnayake (alias Middeniyekade) addressed the issue of whether a valid tenancy agreement existed between the parties and the sufficiency of evidence required to establish such a contract. The court held that the High Court was justified in accepting the existence of a tenancy based on the balance of probabilities and documentary evidence, reaffirming the principle that documentary and oral evidence must be weighed together using the correct standard of proof. Reliance was placed on established evidentiary standards and appellate review norms, with emphasis on giving weight to uncontested documentary proof. The decision clarified the approach for appellate courts in reviewing fact